Download Papers presented at the International Buddhist Conference, March

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
ORGANIZED BY
The Indian Council for
Cultural Relations (ICCR)
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of Buddhasasana & Religious Affairs
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA)
University of Peradeniya
International
Buddhist
Conference
20th & 21st March, 2011
Pallekele, Kandy, Sri Lanka
C U LT U R A L I N T E R FA C E B E T W E E N I N D I A A N D S R I L A N K A
ORGANIZED BY
The Indian Council for
Cultural Relations (ICCR)
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Ministry of External Affairs
Ministry of Buddhasasana & Religious Affairs
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA)
University of Peradeniya
Message by
His Excellency the President of
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
ii
iii
Message from
His Excellency the Prime Minister
of India
iv
v
16 ft. Idol of Lord Buddha in Sarnath style, gifted by India, at the entrance of International
Buddhist Museum complex in Sri Dalada Maligawa, Kandy
CONTENTS
Cultural Interface Between India And Sri
01 Lanka Based On Buddhist History, Art,
42
Literature And Philosophy
Buddhist Conference 02 International
Overview
The Connection between Sri Lankan Literature
and Indian Literature based on
Buddhism (Pali Literature)
H. M. Mahinda Herath
Nagarjunakonda: The Site Of Interface Between
[2nd- 4th CE]
Yojana Bhagat
45 India And Srilanka
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha,
Commissioner of India, at the
07 High
Inauguration
Buddhist Philosophy
55 Ven.
Sok Bunthoeun
Remarks by Shri Suresh K. Goel, Director
09 General (ICCR) at the Inauguration
Cultural Interface Between India And Srilanka
64 Based On Buddhist Art
Remarks by Prof G.L.Peiris, Hon’ble
Milan Ratna Shakya
Minister of External Affairs, Government
11 of
Sri Lanka at the inauguration
Women And Buddhism
68 Vietnamese
Nguyen Ngoc Quynh
14 CONTRIBUTORS
16
20
The System In Buddhism
70 Ashin Pannasihalankara
Contemporary Indian Interpretations of
Buddhism Interpreted
Asanga Tilakaratne
Cultural Interactions Between Ancient India &
72 Sri Lanka
Buddha’s Dhamma as the Foundation of
Intercultural Dialogue Between India and
Sri Lanka
Hari Shankar Prasad
Mahinda Somathilake
Role of Sanskrit in the Cultural interface
89 between Sri Lanka and India
Dr. Uma Shankaer Vyas
27
Buddhist Central Value System and Sri
Lankan Society
H. M. D. R. Herath
31
Cultural Interflow of Buddhism between
India and Sri Lanka: the gateway of
Indianisation in South East Asia
(Indonesia)
Y. M. Suhu Bhadra Ruci
Cultural Interface Between India And Sri Lanka
92 Based on Buddhist History, Art, Literature and
Philosophy
Prof. P. D. Premasiri
Venerable Buddhaghosa's view on Morality
96 (Sila) as described in the Visuddhimagga
Dr. Ram Kumar Rana
Influence of Buddhism on Sri Lankan
35 Culture
Dipankar Lama
Indo-Sri Lankan Literary Ties
37 Mahesh
A. Deokar
This Publication has ben Co-edited by Dr. H. M. Mahinda Herath, Deputy Director, SIBA &
Birender Singh, Counsellor (Press, Information & Culture), High Comission of India
vii
CULTURAL INTERFACE BETWEEN INDIA AND SRI LANKA BASED ON
BUDDHIST HISTORY, ART, LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), in
association with the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry
of Buddhasasana and Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka
organised an International Buddhist Conference on the
theme “Cultural Interface between India and Sri Lanka based on Buddhist History, Art, Literature and Philosophy”, at
Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA), Kandy.
The University of Peradeniya and SIBA were the partnering
institutes. It is rightly said that history and culture are
interdependent. They cannot exist and prosper in isolation.
Metaphorically speaking, they are two essential parts of a
tree, history is the root and culture is the fruit. Culture without
history has no root, whereas history without culture bears no
fruit. A nation is like a tree. If it has no history, it will never
survive and grow harmoniously, and if it has no culture, it will
never develop and progress in totality. A nation with history
and culture alone is a long living and flourishing tree that can
weather any storm and withstand any climate. Philosophy, art,
literature, folk-art and music, etc., are important elements of
culture. Both India and Sri Lanka have age old history
sustained culture and historical and cultural interflow since
the time of Asoka the Great based on Buddhism, which alone
nurtured and fulfilled its aim and thereby helped in
strengthening the eternal friendship and cooperation
between the two countries.
time, along with the sapling from the sacred bodhi tree under
which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. The same was
planted in the Mahamegha garden of Anuradhapura with a
great celebration where it was tended with honour and care. It
still flourishes as one of the most sacred objects of veneration
and worship for millions of Buddhists. The planting of the
bodhi tree was symbolic of the establishment of Buddhism
and Buddhist culture in the island. Cultural links between
India and Sri Lanka were further strengthened when Asoka
sent the alms bowl of the Buddha.
Buddhism soon became the national religion of the Sinhalese
people. King Asoka, Mahinda Thera and King Devanamapiya
Tissa, the king in Sri Lanka at that time, were responsible for
firmly establishing saddhamma, the true Dhamma, in the land
of Sri Lanka. Although 250 BC may be regarded as the time
when Buddhism was formally introduced to Sri Lanka, word of
the great activities of the mighty King Asoka must have
reached the Island earlier. Mention is made in the Pali texts of
the Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa, also known as the old
chronicles, that the Buddha himself visited Sri Lanka three
times during his lifetime. It was mainly because of its universal
teaching that Buddhism has been successful at various times
in its history. It was because of this that it enjoyed royal
patronage of kings and dynasties, not only at the time of the
Buddha, but also later on, both in India and Sri Lanka and also
elsewhere. Similarly, people of all walks of society accepted
Buddhism whether King, or business community or the
intellectuals or even the common and the down trodden, etc.
The history of the two countries tells us of the great bond of
mutual friendship and cooperation between the two countries
that was laid by the Enlightened One and for that both the
countries must pay respect to Lord Buddha, the Great Master,
who showed, preached and taught to the suffering humanity
the Middle Path of Compassion, Peace, Harmony and all
round Happiness. This path, Universal in character, is based
on Sila (Morality), Samaddhi (concentration) and Palifid
(wisdom). It was this which the Buddha preached at Sarnath
in the famous Deer Park and is the essence of his teaching,
that is, the Eight¬fold Path, popularly known as Middle Path
(majjhima patipada).
Right from early history, we know that the spread of Buddhism
from the land of its birth to Sri Lanka or elsewhere was not
through bloodshed or war, but with its encompassing
philosophy of universal love, non-violence and compassion.
At the time of its dissemination, Buddhism had assimilated
the nature, faith and practices from the place where
Buddhism had reached. It slowly developed and spread in Sri
Lanka and as a result Buddhist history, art-architecture,
literature and philosophy also developed all along.
It is a proven fact that the teachings of the Buddha were
introduced in Sri Lanka around 250 BC by the son of King
Asoka, Mahinda Thera. The historic Third Buddhist Council
(dhamma sangiti) was convened at the behest of King Asoka.
After the Council, an important decision was taken to send
emissaries (dhamma-duta) to different places to disseminate
and establish the Dhamma. As a result, emissaries were sent
in nine different directions, including that of Sri Lanka. Asoka
sent his son Mahinda in the companionship of theras Itthiya,
Uttiya, Sambala and Bhaddasala, Samanera Suman and laydisciple Bhanduka. It seems Asoka gave importance to Sri
Lanka and therefore, sent in addition to his son, Mahinda,
other theras and relatives of the royal family and, later, even
his daughter, Sanghamitta who had become a nun by that
The scholars of Sri Lanka especially provided a solid ground
for Pali and Buddhist studies in India by preserving Pali
scriptures and adding new dimensions to Pali literature by
comparing books on Grammar, Abhidhamma and Poetry etc.
Sri Lanka has witnessed the golden era of Pali literature,
which is unique in the world. The new generations of India and
Sri Lanka are dedicated to search cultural tools from all walks
of our culture to make a broad pathway for rapid dialogue
between the two societies for tomorrow.
This Conference was organised in order to further nurture the
mutual bond of friendship between India and Sri Lanka.
1
International Buddhist Conference
Overview
The President, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs of Sri Lanka at the inauguration of the International Buddhist Conference in
Kandy, together with the High Commissioner of India and the Director General of ICCR.
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of the
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka inaugurated the
International Buddhist Conference organized by the Indian
Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) at Sri Lanka
International Buddhist Academy in Kandy on 20th March
2011. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of
Buddhasasna and Religious Affairs of Sri Lanka, together
with the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy and the
University of Peredeniya were the Partner Institutes for the
Conference, which was organized as part of the joint
commemoration by India and Sri Lanka of the 2600th
anniversary of the attainment of enlightenment by Lord
Buddha. The inauguration of the Conference was also
graced by the presence of Hon’ble D.M. Jayaratne, Prime
Minister, Prof. G. L. Peiris, Hon’ble Minister of External
Affairs, Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, High Commissioner of India
and Mr. Suresh K. Goel, Director General, Indian Council for
Cultural Relations (ICCR). The Governor of the Central
Province, a number of senior Cabinet Ministers, the Attorney
General of Sri Lanka, Deputy Ministers, Members of
Parliament, Provincial Ministers, Members of the Central
Provincial Council and senior officials of the Government of
Sri Lanka also attended the inauguration ceremony.
Scholars from Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Myanmar,
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam participated in the
Conference on the theme “Cultural Interface between India
and Sri Lanka based on Buddhist History, Art, Literature and
Philosophy”.
Addressing the august gathering, High Commissioner
Kantha emphasized the continuing relevance of the
fundamental and universal values and philosophies that Lord
Buddha propounded. He underlined that cultural interaction
between India and Sri Lanka had been marked by constant
cross fertilization in the spheres of art, literature and
philosophy and the journey of the Holy Tree from India to Sri
Lanka demonstrated this amply. High Commissioner also
2
highlighted the other activities being undertaken by India to
commemorate the Sambuddhtva Jayanthi. These include an
exposition of the Kapilvastu Relics in Sri Lanka later this year,
setting up of an Indian gallery at the International Buddhist
Museum in Kandy and installation of a specially crafted idol
of Lord Buddha in Sarnath style from the Gupta period at the
entrance of the International Buddhist Museum complex in
Sri Dalada Maligawa. He also announced that Indian
Railways was planning to launch a special Buddhist Train
DAMBA DIWA VANDANA later this year from Chennai
catering to Sri Lankan pilgrims, adding that all these
initiatives were reflective of India’s desire to strengthen her
cultural and people-to-people linkages with Sri Lanka, with
which India shared deep historical bonds.
troupes, exhibitions, distinguished visitors and scholarships.
Prof. G. L. Peiris, Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs of Sri
Lanka, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the
foundation of many modern-day precepts in Buddhist
thought and philosophy. Following his address, the
Diyawadane Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa presented the
first issue of the academic journal of SIBA, “Sri Lanka
International Journal of Buddhist Studies”, to President
Rajapaksa. The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks by the
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peredeniya. President
Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the exhibition of
photographs by Benoy Behl of Buddhist sites and artefacts in
India and Sri Lanka The academic sessions of the
conference were held on 20-21 March 2011.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Mr. Suresh K. Goel,
Director General, ICCR emphasized the important role of
cultural communication and dialogue in increasing mutual
understanding and highlighted the key role being played by
ICCR in this regard. He reiterated the commitment of ICCR to
strengthening the cultural relationship between India and Sri
Lanka through activities such as exchange of cultural
The Conference organized in Kandy was the third such
conference on Buddhism sponsored by ICCR, following
similar events in Singapore and Cambodia.
The publication is compilation of the papers presented at the
Conference.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa visiting the exhibition of
photographs by Benoy Behl of Buddhist sites and artefacts in
India and Sri Lanka; with him are the High Commissioner of India,
Shri Ashok K. Kantha and the Director General of the Indian
Council for Cultural Relations, Shri Suresh K. Goel
The President and High Commissioner of India at the
inauguration of the International Buddhist Conference in Kandy.
Lighting of the traditional lamp by the dignitaries
3
4
5
6
Remarks by the High Commissioner of
India, H.E. Mr. Ashok K. Kantha,
at the Inauguration of the International
Buddhist Conference Kandy,
20-21 March 2011
Venerable members of Maha Sangha and religious
teachers, Your Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa,
Hon. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, Hon. Minister of
External Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Hon’ble Governor Tikiri
Kobbekaduwa, Hon’ble Ministers, Director General of
Indian Council for Cultural Relations Mr. Suresh K. Goel,
Diyawadane Nilame of Sri Dalada Maligawa, Secretary,
Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Mr.
Cashian Herath, Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University
Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
interface between India and Sri Lanka based on Buddhism.
Let me take this opportunity to thank our partners in
organizing the International Buddhist Conference. The
Conference is supported by the Indian Council for Cultural
Relations in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs
and the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs of
Sri Lanka. We are privileged to collaborate with Sri Lanka
International Buddhist Academy and the University of
Peradeniya for this event.
Buddhism is one of the world’s oldest religions and has
endured dynamically through the ages, spreading and
flourishing in different parts of the world. This is not an
accident of history. This is the natural outcome of the
fundamental and universal values and philosophies that
Lord Buddha propounded. The basic truths about the soul
that he realized under the Mahabodhi Tree are relevant for
us to this day.
At the outset, I would like to sincerely thank His Excellency
the President of Sri Lanka for gracing the inauguration of the
International Buddhist Conference. This Conference was
first envisaged in the Joint Declaration issued during His
Excellency’s visit to India in June 2010, when he and the
Prime Minister of India decided that the two countries would
jointly commemorate the 2600th year of Attainment of
Enlightenment by Lord Buddha. This Conference will add
great substance to the important activities that form part of
that joint commemoration. We are privileged, Sir, that you
could find it possible to join us for this event.
Lord Buddha preached the supreme messages of love and
brotherhood, of peace, goodwill and social equality. Today,
two thousand and six hundred years later, as the world
struggles through unprecedented traumatic events, we look
to his teachings for succor and guidance. The spread of
Buddhism from the land of its birth to other parts of the world
was never through violence and bloodshed; rather, in the
manner of its underlying philosophy, it embraced devotees
through its message of love, non-violence and compassion
for fellow human beings.
We are also honored by the presence of Hon. Prime Minister
D.M. Jayaratne, Hon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L.
Peiris, Hon’ble Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, other
Ministers, and all other distinguished guests this morning. I
also welcome the Director General of the Indian Council of
Cultural Affairs, Mr. Suresh K. Goel, who has travelled from
India to take part in the Conference.
Gautam Buddha’s articulation of the Four Noble Truths and
the Eightfold Path is profound in its simplicity. Beginning
from India, these ideas have resonated over large parts of
Asia. Even though in later years, many Asian nations
diverged from Buddhism as a religion, much of the Asian
identity is based on the common language of Buddhism.
I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the learned
scholars from Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and India who have come to
Kandy for this Conference. Their erudite presentations will
add international perspectives and insights on the cultural
7
Today, as the world celebrates 2600 years of the
Enlightenment of the Buddha, we seek to reinforce this
shared heritage and value system.
Further, Indian Railways are planning to launch a special
Buddhist train “Damba Diwa Vandana” from Chennai later
this year, catering to Sri Lankan pilgrims. The train will touch
about a dozen Buddhist centres in India, including
Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kapilavastu, Sanchi and Kushi Nagar. I
am happy that special provisions will be made on the train for
Sri Lankan cuisine!
Through these twenty-six centuries, Buddhism has
transcended religion and philosophy to permeate all walks of
life, including art and architecture, literature and cultural
practices. This Conference will deliberate on the
multidimensional aspects of Buddhism that bind India and
Sri Lanka and indeed countries of the region.
Finally, the resumption of the ferry service between Colombo
and Tuticorin shortly and between TalaimannarRameshwaram as part of implementation of the Joint
Declaration that was issued during the visit of His Excellency
the President to India in June last year will also facilitate the
travel of Buddhist pilgrims from Sri Lanka to sites in India. We
are also assisting the pilgrims by providing gratis visas for
travelling to India.
The cultural interaction between India and Sri Lanka has
been intense, resulting in constant cross-fertilization in the
spheres of art, literature, culture and philosophy. These
exchanges continue to flourish under the stellar role played
by Anagarika Dharampala and others who enriched and
revitalized these links in recent years. The journey of the Holy
Tree from India to Sri Lanka and back, nurtured by the soil of
both lands and sustained through caring hands of Indians
and Sri Lankans, symbolizes this exchange of ethos.
All these initiatives reflect India’s desire to strengthen its
cultural and people-to-people linkages with Sri Lanka with
which we share deep historical and civilizational bonds.
In the end, I would like to once again thank His Excellency
the President and the Government of Sri Lanka for the
extraordinary cooperation rendered in the organization of
the Conference. I would also like to thank ICCR, SIBA and
the University of Peradeniya for their valuable contributions
towards making this Conference a success.
Your Excellency, distinguished guests, I am pleased to inform
this august gathering that India is undertaking a number of
special events to commemorate the Sambuddhatva
Jayanthi. These will include an exposition of the Kapilavastu
relics in Sri Lanka, setting up of an Indian Gallery at the
International Buddhist Museum in Kandy and installation of
a specially-crafted idol of Lord Buddha in the Sarnath style
from the Gupta Period, at the entrance of the International
Buddhist Museum complex in Sri Dalada Maligawa.
Thank you.
8
Remarks by Shri Suresh K. Goel, Director
General (ICCR)
at the Inauguration of the International
Buddhist Conference
Kandy, 20-21 March 2011
Venerable Members of the Maha Sandha, Your Excellency
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Hon. Excellency D.M.
Jayaratne, Hon. Minister of External Affairs Prof. G.L.
Peiris, Hon’ble Governor Tikiri Kobbeaduwa, Hon’ble
Ministers, Diyawadane Nilami of SDM, Mr. Dela Bandara
Secretary, Buddhasasna Mr. Cashian Herath,
Vice
Chancellor of Peradeniya University Prof. Sarath Abeykoon
High Commissioner of India, Shri Ashok K. Kantha most
importantly the scholars who have come from India and
several other countries along with the scholars from Sri
Lanka who are going to contribute to this Conference and
distinguished participants and the audience.
sensitivities and subconsciously ingrained valued from the
subtext of this dialogue as well as enhance its value and
strength. The cultural communications and dialogue, in
what is now becoming known as cultural diplomacy,
therefore, have increasingly evolved as a durable basis for
understanding each other, particularly, perhaps, in more
sensitive and critical areas such as economic and
commercial partnerships, political and strategic relations.
The Indian Council for Cultural Relations established in
1950 by the first Education Minister of India, Maulana Abul
Kalam Azad for stands for the communion of Indian culture
with diverse Indian cultures, and dialogue between a variety
of ideas and thoughts through a large resource of
instruments available to it. The process has all the
elements of the interfaith dialogue and cultural
conversations, becoming now a popular element in
international diplomacy, which is almost now becoming
cliché.
I am delighted to be present on this important and unique
platform to discuss amongst scholars from India, Sri Lanka
and the regions mainly Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand,
Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, the cultural interface
between India and Sri Lanka which is prominently visible in
our common Buddhist linkages, not only between each
other but equally significantly also with other countries in the
region particularly in South East Asia. I must underline at
this stage that this cultural interface between our two
countries is equally manifest in other aspects of our common
heritage such as linguistics, arts, philosophy, family values
and traditions, civilizational and society structures etc.
Starting with the exchanges of performing groups, both in
music and dance, and both through international festivals
and single group visits, ICCR has begun to play an eminent
and key role in promoting academic collaboration through
almost 3000 scholarships for studies in India on an annual
basis, organization of seminars and conferences on cultural
and civilizational themes, such as this establishment of
Indian Chairs in universities abroad the number of which is
going soon to reach a century, exchange of exhibitions of a
diverse media and many many more things.
The presence of the Hon’ble President of Sri Lanka His
Excellency is both significant and a singular honour since it
symbolizes our mutual desire and efforts to find common
ground in our quest for strong understandings and
friendship between our two peoples and nations.
Coming to Sri Lanka Theravada Buddhism which is the
common legacy between India and Sri Lanka is shared not
just between the two of us, but it is the legacy which has
been imparted as a gift of India and Sri Lanka to South East
Asia and the globe and the whole world. This Buddhism
Culture and civilization are important contributors to the
development of dialogue and communications between two
societies and therefore, by corollary between two sovereign
nations.
The understanding of thinking processes,
9
infact, is said to have travelled from India to Sri Lanka and
then to South-East Asia, although in Sri Lanka, it has
become now almost a part of daily culture.
a result of this common legacy between India and Sri Lanka
in the South Asian region. The two countries being multiethnic, multi-lingual with a number of religious being
practiced by their citizens, this legacy is reflected in rich
Sinhalese and Tamil cultural traditions and texts, their history
and the common origin of many practices in the two
countries.
This Conference clearly illustrates the higher priority being
attached by India to intellectual collaboration with its key
partners such as Sri Lanka because of its enduring nature.
The subject which relates to the common religious and
cultural paths, India and Sri Lanka have travelled for almost
two millennia, and have been instrumental in its propagation
to farther reaches of the world and this provides an important
context for this Conference for this effort on a very broad
basis. That also explains the invitation to the Scholars from
the countries of the region to participate in the Conference.
ICCR would also be celebrating internationally, the 150th
anniversary of Tagore this year in which Sri Lanka will be an
important partner.
I hope this Conference will make a valuable contribution to
this process. I wish success to all the participants in this
project.
This Conference in Kandy is particularly important since it is
Thank you.
The cultural dialogue between India and Sri Lanka aims at
building on this common legacy and our common aspirations
for social and economic upliftment of their peoples. ICCR
remains committed to fully support this process in
collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka.
10
Remarks by Prof G.L.Peiris, Hon’ble
Minister of External Affairs, Government of
Sri Lanka at the inauguration of the
International Buddhist Conference at
Kandy on 20th March 2011
His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of
the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the
Anunayaka of the Malwatte Chapter, Venerable Members of
the Maha Sangha, Hon’ble Prime Minister and Hon’ble
Minister of Buddhasasana, Governor of the Central
Province, Your Excellencies, Hon’ble Ministers, the High
Commissioner of India, Director General of the Indian
Council for Cultural Relations, Secretary to the President,
Attorney General, Distinguished delegates from the eight
countries represented here, Ladies and Gentlemen :
formulated in a manner that is understood by the accused,
the accused must have every opportunity for presenting his
case, the Judge must be totally impartial, both sides have to
be given a hearing, the aggrieved party is entitled to the right
of appeal. All of this is spelt out in a crystal clear manner in
the Vinaya Pitaka.
There is also another matter particularly relevant to the
present age which I would like to comment on. This is to do
with the concept of accountability - Accountability,
Responsibility and Justice. The point I wish to make is that
there is no panacea; there is no particular interpretation of
the accountability and responsibility that is common to all
civilizations. In the Western legal systems, accountability
has an element of retribution. If a wrong has been done,
then society collectively exerts vengeance on the wrong
doer. There is a retributive function of the criminal law. It is to
be found in the Roman Law for example, in the concept of
talion, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That is not the
Buddhist concept of responsibility and accountability. In the
Dhamma Pada, the famous words of the Buddha - Na hi
verena verani – that hatred is never conquered by hatred
but by love. The Buddha is preaching that doctrine from a
particular point of departure. He is saying that when you
punish, when you exert pain, it leads to further bitterness
and acrimony. What you need to do is to put these things
behind you – the pain and anguish of the past, consign it to
the past… move on, pick up the pieces and see how best
you can get on with your life. Do not be obsessed and
captured by the past. That is very much pith and substance
of the doctrine enunciated by the Buddha in those
celebrated words Na hi verena verani.
I consider it a great privilege to be invited to share a few
thoughts with you on this occasion. My theme will be, as we
commemorate the 2600th anniversary of the enlightenment
of the Buddha, I think it is befitting to remind ourselves that
the vast reservoir of wisdom contained in the teachings of
Gautama Buddha is not confined to any particular age or
civilization; it straddles the entire world and it is as relevant
today in the troubled times in which we live as it was 2600
years ago. I would like to give you a few illustrations of this.
Because I think this is a very appropriate forum to focus on
this theme.
When I was engaged in research in the Universities of
Oxford and Cambridge on comparative Public Law dealing
with concepts like natural justice and procedural fairness, I
found that many of these concepts are not only
foreshadowed, not only outlined, but developed in great
detail in the Buddha Dhamma. For example, in the Vinaya
Pitaka, there is a very detailed analysis of the manner in
which justice should be done within a temple, within the
Maha Sangha. If there is a complaint, how is that complaint
to be investigated in order to ensure that justice is done. All
the elements which are developed in the Western legal
systems are to be found with exemplary clarity in the Vinaya
Pitaka. That there must be a charge, the charge must be
Now, we find that this is amply substantiated by other texts
in the Buddha Dhamma. Buddha, addressing the literary
brothers, also spoke of the manner in which conflicts among
11
people, among communities, among families, at a place of
work - how does one resolve these conflicts. That was the
message of the Buddha to the literary princes… he said –
gather in peace, discuss in peace and at the end of your
discussions, disperse in peace. In other words, the essence
of the Buddhist doctrine with regard to the resolution of
conflict is a search for consensus. Let us find common
ground, things that we can agree upon so that there is a
foundation to be built upon and consolidated. That is very
different from the Western concept of retributive justice. Now
one country, as we emerge from the painful era of terrorism
and as we open a new chapter in our contemporary political
and social history what is suitable for us is not the retributive
concept of justice but the restorative concept of justice.
One of the clearest examples of that is to be found in the
words uttered by Arahat Mahinda, the son of the Emperor
Ashoka when he brought Buddhism to this Island. In
Mihintale, addressing King Devanampiyatissa, Arahat
Mahinda said “O King, mighty as you are, you are not the
sole owner of the assets of nature – the rivers, the valleys,
the oceans, the atmosphere, the beasts of the jungle all of
these are not owned by you. You are but the trustee!” Now,
Western systems have gone to great lengths to develop the
concept of trusteeship but trusteeship has its roots in the
Buddhist doctrine. In other words, you have legal title, you
have legal ownership but there are obligations which fasten
upon the conscience. Therefore, Arahat Mahinda told King
Devanampiyatissa “King, you have the obligation to hand
over to posterity all these assets of nature substantially in
the form in which you have inherited these assets from
those who were born before you. Again, a very valuable
doctrine for the age in which we live.
Venerable Anunayaka of the Malwatte chapter would be
aware of the famous work by Dr. F A Hayley, King’s Counsel,
on the laws and customs of the Kandyan Sinhalese and Dr
Hayley commenting on the customs of the Sinhala people
during the British period, emphasizes the collectivity of the
Sinhala organization. If there was bereavement, if there was
an illness, if there was misfortune, the collective community
was a source of strength and comfort. That is very much the
ethos of the Buddhist doctrine. And this is reflected in
Sinhala customs relating to the tenure of land. The
Viharagams and the Devalagams – whoever owned land
had a reciprocal obligation to render service. This is a long
tradition in our culture. It goes back to the Gam Sabhas and
the Rata Sabhas. In our culture, the relationship between
employer and employee is not adversarial. It is not
confrontational. The employer is looked upon as the father
of a family. The point I am making is that the concept of
compassion, of understanding, of empathy and restorative
justice is very different from the Western concept of
retributive justice. I think we need to bear this in mind as we
address controversies relating to accountability and there is
much to be learnt from the doctrine of Gautama Buddha,
2600 years after his enlightenment. Also, the entire network
of rights and obligations, I think deserves some comment. In
the Western systems, rights are absolute. This again is
fundamentally different in the Buddhist culture. In the
Western systems again, if we take the Roman law as an
example - that is the foundation of Western legal and cultural
systems, ownership is absolute.
The final point I wish to make is with regard to distributive
justice. One of the great works published by the University
of Oxford is entitled “Distributive Justice” - it is authored by
Prof John Rawls. Now, distributive justice again is one of the
cornerstones of our culture. In the last sermon which the
Buddha preached, the Mahaparinirvana sutra, Gautama
the Buddha said that the moral quality of any society can be
judged by reference to the manner in which that society
treats the weak, the infirm, the old and the infants.
Now, I want to say that this is encapsulated in our time by the
“Mahinda Chintana” which represents the conceptual
underpinnings of the policy of the Government of Sri Lanka.
Delegates from abroad, I am sure, will be interested to learn
that we are probably the only country that not only provides
education free from kindergarten to university but we have
gone much further. We provide the student throughout the
period with everything that he or she needs. Be it school
books, be it allowances, board and lodging. Everything is
paid for by the State. There cannot be a better example of
distributive justice. The achievement of the Government of
Sri Lanka is not only with regard to achieving a growth rate
of more than 8% amidst singularly adverse global
circumstances but to my mind, and I saw this myself in the
deep south in the recent past during the last two or three
days, what is really appreciated by the people of this Island
is the fact that these benefits have percolated down to the
grassroots level and life is better, richer and more
meaningful for the vast mass of humanity. Sri Lanka has
signal achievements to its credit with regard to infant
mortality and infant morbidity.
The Emperor Justinian in his Institutes says, that whoever
owns the land, the soil, owns everything above right up to the
skies and down to the bowels of the earth. In the Roman
Law, ownership entails the right to use, to enjoy and to
destroy – jus utendi fruendi abutendi – absolute; no
restrictions.
Government of Sri Lanka has been prepared to sacrifice
revenue to the Treasury derived from taxes on alcohol and
tobacco – it is one of the largest sources of revenue – but the
Government of Sri Lanka has been prepared to forsake that
in the interests of upholding ethical and moral values which
were absolutely essential for the health of Sri Lankan
society. Distributive justice according to the Buddha
Dharma as expounded in the Mahaparinirvana sutra,
means equality of opportunity. Government of Sri Lanka has
That is very different from the Buddhist teaching. In the
Sigalovada Sutta, the Buddha refers to rights and
obligations - the ruler and the ruled; husband and wife;
parent and child; teacher and student; employer and
employed. These are two sides of a coin. Whoever has a
right also has an obligation. This goes to the very root of
Buddhist teaching.
12
placed the highest priority on that the rural child today has
access to opportunity. Through the nenasalas, Computer
Training, Information Technology is no longer confined to the
urban areas of the Island but is available in the rural
hinterland. The Divi Neguma programme gives pride and
dignity to all families focusing on the quality of their
nourishment and their ability to earn supplementary income
from agricultural and other activity that is carried out at the
home.
with regard to investment. Sri Lankan corporate leaders, by
virtue of their investments and trading activity, are making a
significant contribution to the Indian economy. This is
especially apparent in sectors like apparel, tourism and
services. It is also noteworthy that the largest number of
tourists visiting Sri Lanka at the present time come from
India. People to people contact is steadily increasing in
strength in such fields as education and culture.
The challenge today is to explore new vistas of opportunity
and new avenues for further consolidating an inherently
robust relationship as Sri Lanka enters upon a new era in its
political and social history.
As far as sports facilities are concerned, the Suriyawewa
sports complex in the deep south of Sri Lanka provides
students from the rural schools with facilities that are in no
way inferior to the facilities that are enjoyed by students
attending the most privileged schools in and around
Colombo. So all of this is a concrete manifestation of
commitment to distributive justice as referred to in the
Mahaparinirvana Sutra.
I would like, Your Excellencies, Members of the Maha
Sangha, Distinguished delegates, to conclude on this note.
Professor Arnold Toynbee in his monumental work, the
twelve volume work, The Study of History, says that each
civilization throughout the history of mankind has certain
unique characteristics. We are proud heirs of the Buddhist
tradtion and have every reason to be proud of our heritage.
We have developed a body of doctrine and a body of social
practices which are absolutely indispensable for the troubled
time in which we live. So may I, on this occasion, draw
attention to the fact that the learning, the wisdom, the
sagacity that is embodied in the doctrine of the Buddha is a
beacon light which can illuminate the world 2600 years after
the enlightenment of Gautama the Buddha. Thank you very
much.
It has been recognised by both countries that Sri Lanka and
India are bound together by vital common interests which
straddle the entire spectrum of public policy. This is a reality
in terms of geography, economy and security. The origin of
the relationship between the people of the two countries is
lost in the mists of antiquity.
Interlocking interests continue to be a feature of the
contemporary bilateral relationship. India is Sri Lanka’s
largest trading partner, while the quantum of Indian
investment in Sri Lanka’s economy is substantial. It is a
matter for particular satisfaction that there is reciprocity today
13
CONTRIBUTORS
9 Dr. Pathompong Bodhiprasiddhinand
1
2
13
3
5
4
14
6
15
7
16
8
9
17
10
Director of International Programme in Buddhist Studies,
Mohidol University, Thailand
11 12
18
10 Prof. Asanga Thilakarathne
Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies
University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
11 Dr. H. M. Mahinda Herath
Deputy Director, SIBA, Sri Lanka
12 R. K. Misra
Assistant High Commissioner, AHC, Kandy
1 Dr. R.K. Rana
13
2 Dr. Dipankar Lama
14
3 Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya
15
4 Prof. Hari Shankar Prasad
16
5 Birender Singh,
17
6 Prof. H.M.D.R. Herath
18
Associate Professor, Department of Buddhist Studies,
University of Delhi
Head, Department of Buddhist Studies,
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda
Head, Central Department of Buddhist Studies,
Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
University of Delhi
Dr. (Ms.) Quynh Ngoc Nguyen
Institute of Religious Studies, Academy of
Social Sciences, Vietnam
Dr. Yojana Bhagat
Department of Pali,
Mumbai University
Dr. U.S. Vyas
Former Director,
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda
Rev. (Dr.) Muwaetagama Gnananda Thero
University of Peradeniya
Dr. Ashin pannasihalankara
Counsellor (Press, Information & Culture),
High Comission of India
Department of Sociology,
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Pro-Rector of Sitagu International Buddhist
Academy, Myanmar
Y.M. Suhu Bhadra Ruci
Monk of Mahayana School, Indonesia
Prof. P.D. Premasiri
Department of Pali & Buddhist Studies,
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
7 Prof. G. A. Somaratne
Rector, SIBA, Sri Lanka
Prof. M. Somathilake
8 Prof. Mahesh Deokar
Department of History,
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Department of Pali,
University of Pune
14
15
Contemporary Indian Interpretations of Buddhism Interpreted
Asanga Tilakaratne
continue exactly in the same manner or with the same vigour and
heat. Debates nonetheless are not non-existent.
Recent beginnings of Buddhism in India do not go beyond the
second half of the 19th century. Until the mass conversion of
Ambedkar and his followers in the 1950s, Buddhism was only an
academic subject and relic of the past. The Indian intellectual
interest in Buddhism is only a relatively recent phenomenon
confined to a small group of academics and the elite. The popular
interest in Buddhism is still largely confined to the followers of
Ambedkar and their descendents. In order to understand the
dynamics of this phenomenon it is necessary that one does a
comprehensive sociological study. The present paper does not aim
to undertake this task. A somewhat different task, however, is to
examine the sources of the contemporary Indian understanding of
Buddhism. For this purpose one needs to study the views on
Buddhism expressed by modern scholars, philosophers, and
thinkers. However to study all the relevant sources will be a far too
large a task for the present project.
Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne
Prof. Asanga Tilakaratne graduated from Peradeniya
University, Sri Lanka, with First Class Honours, specializing
in Buddhist Philosophy and offering Pali and Sanskrit as his
subsidiary subjects. Prior to this, he received a first degree
from Buddhasravaka University of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
completing a five year course in Tripitaka, Pali, Sanskrit,
Sinhala and related subjects. He received East West Center
Fellowship and studied Western Philosophy at University of
Hawai'i at Manoa and received a Masters. He completed his
Doctorate at the same university in Comparative Philosophy
writing his thesis on “the Problem of Ineffability of Religious
Experience”. From 1992 to 2007, he taught at Postgraduate
Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya.
In 1997 he was promoted to Professor and in 2006 to Senior
Professor. In the academic year 1999-2000, he was a Senior
Commonwealth Fellow and was affiliated to Oriental
Institute, Oxford University and a Fellow of Wolfson College.
During 2003-2006 he served as the Director of the
Postgraduate Institute where he has been the Head of
Department of Buddhist Philosophy from 1992. In the
academic year 2007-08 he taught as the Visiting Professor
at the Department of Sociology, Yonsei University, Korea. In
January 2009 he was appointed the Professor of Pali and
Buddhist Studies at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He
has published, both in Sinhala and English, on Buddhist
philosophy, philosophy of language and philosophy of
religion, practical ethics and contemporary social and
political issues and Buddhist epistemology and logic. In
2004, with a group of academics and professionals, he
formed Damrivi Foundation, a Buddhist organization for
spiritual, social and economic development, and functions
as the Chairman of its Board of Trustees.
In this paper, therefore, I propose to examine the interpretations of
Buddhism developed by some selected modern Indian religious,
philosophical and social thinkers. This initial examination will be
focused only on two, namely, S. Radhakrishnan, and TRV Murti.
As a prelude to the discussion First I will study some historical
instances of how Buddhism was understood by those in the
classical ages. I will conclude the discussion with an assessment of
the philosophical, ideological and social implications of these
interpretations.
Two levels of critique
Basically the present essay is concerned with the critique of
religion. A critique can be either partial or total. A partial critique
affects only partly to a particular religion whereas the total critique
questions the very basis or the basic assumptions, of a given
religion.
Certain critiques can be concerning only the individual issues;
these are partial critiques applicable only to particular aspects of
the teaching. Some relevant examples are: the so-called
unanswered questions raised by the disciple of the Buddha named
Malunkyaputta, and the wrong view held by another monastic
disciple named Arittha on the 'harmful phenomena' (anatarayika
dhamma). The former involves the ten (fourteen in the later
tradition) questions that were not answered by the Buddha (Culamalunkyaputta-sutta, Majjhima-nikaya 63). Malunkyaputta was
of the view that the ten issues should have been answered by the
Buddha in a definitive manner and the fact that the Buddha did not
answer them was a weakness of the teaching. Although
Malunkyaputta does not describe this non-answering as a
weakness of the teaching that is what he means when he threatens
the Buddha that he will leave the Sangha if the answers were not
given to him. In the second example Arittha was of the view that
whatever the phenomena described by the Buddha as 'harmful'
(anatarayika) are not really so (Alagaddupama-sutta, Majjhimanikaya 22). In these cases, the misunderstandings involved do not
seem to affect the entire system. They refer only to partial
Introduction
Indian Interpreters of Buddhism are as old as Buddhism itself.
Staring from the time of the Buddha, there have been interpreters
of Buddhism, both critics and admirers, till the end of the middle
period of the Indian history of religion. With some discontinuity
just before the dawn of the modern period the critical traditions
have continued up to date. The classical Indian debates on
Buddhism have been a fertile soil for polemics. Buddhism was one
of those systems that the Brahmanic thinkers in particular loved to
hate. Now that the classical ages are gone, the old debates do not
16
misunderstandings although the questioner himself may not have
felt so.
S. Radhakrshnan's Upanishadic
Interpretation
The second category is different. There can be certain critiques
applicable to the totality of the teaching. Such critiques if valid
could affect the entire system. The almost standard accusation of
the atmavadins that the Buddha was a nihilist and Bhikkhu Sati's
view that consciousness continues unchanged are two examples of
this category. In the Alagaddupama-sutta referred to above the
Buddha describes in the following words the accusation leveled
against him by those who believed in the atma: ” Bhikkhus, I have
been baselessly , vainly, falsely, and wrongly misrepresented bys
some recluses and Brahmins thus: “The recluse Gotama is one who
leads astray; he teaches the annihilation, the destruction, the
extermination of an existing being” (Nanamoli & Bodhi. P.234)
And the Buddha clarifies his position vis-à-vis the criticism:
“Bhikkhus, both formerly and now what I teach is suffering and the
cessation of suffering” (ibid) . Similarly, Sati's view on the
unchanging character of vinnana (“It is this same consciousness
that runs and wanders through the round of rebirths, not another” :
Maha-tanhasankhaya-sutta, Majjhima-nikaya 38) also amounts to
attributing some form of atmavada to the Buddha. These two
criticisms are concerned with the very unique character of the
teaching of the Buddha. If the Buddha believed in an atma of any
kind, there would not be any difference between what the Buddha
taught and the mainstream beliefs of atma-vada. A criticism of this
nature will have implications on the entire teaching of the Buddha,
and therefore may be considered as a total criticism. In this
discussion we will focus on some interpretations which encompass
the entirety of the teaching of the Buddha.
Radhakrishnan is known in the field of Buddhist studies for
asserting a very close relationship between Buddhism and
Hinduism. He has gone to such an extent in his claim that the
popular view attributed to him says that Buddhism is an off-shoot
of Brahmanism. In his introduction to the Dhammapada
Radhkrishnan has a long discussion on the affinity between the
Upanisads and the teaching of the Buddha . Highlighting these
affinities Radhakrishnan says:
The Upanisads from which the Buddha's teaching is
derived, holds that the world we know, whether outward
or inward, does not possess intrinsic reality. Intrinsic
reality belongs to the knower, the Atman, the self of all
selves. Brahman and Atman are one. Knowledge of this
supreme truth, realization of the identity of the self of
man and the spirit of the universe, is salvation. … The
Buddha accepts the propositions that the empirical
universe is not real, that the empirical individual is not
permanent, but both these are subject to changes which
are governed by law and that it is the duty of the
individual to transcend this world of succession and time
and attain nirvana (The Dhammapada p.29).
In this statement Radhakrishnan correctly says that Buddhism
does not allow us to believe in an intrinsic reality. But right away he
asserts that such an intrinsic reality is the domain of the knower,
namely, the Atman. There is no doubt that the belief in atma
belongs to Hinduism , and therefore it is true for that system. The
difficulty with this assertion is that it leaves the reader with an
uncertainty whether or not Buddhism accepts the concept of atma
that the author refers to. The concept of anatta, a salient feature of
the teaching of the Buddha, clearly rejects the concept of atma in
any metaphysical sense. As we observed at the beginning of this
discussion, the contemporaries of the Buddha did not have any
problems of seeing this, namely, the rejection of the concept of
soul, and due to that very reason they called the Buddha a 'nihilist'
and described his teaching as a type of nihilism of the character of
Carvaka (materialist) philosophy. Accordingly they rejected the
Buddha as a nihilist (venayika).
Two attitudes toward Buddhism: rejection and
reduction
When Buddhism arose as a sramana movement it was clearly
rejected by Brahmins as well as the other sramana traditions. Of the
instances referred to above, the one based the claim that the
Buddha was a nihilist who accepted the destruction of a truly living
being is an example of such rejection. Based on the understanding
that Buddhism rejected the atma-vada accepted by them, the
Brahmins included the teaching of the Buddha among the 'nastika'
(nihilist) systems whereas the systems that accepted the reality of
atma were classified among the 'astika' (positive) ones. On
account of its anatma-vada ( no-soul view) Buddhism was grouped
with materialism of Carvaka which during the time of the Buddha
represented in the teachings of Ajita Kesakambali, one among the
six religious teachers mentioned in the Samannaphala-sutta of the
Digha-nikaya).
Radhakrishnan's approach is different. He thinks that the Buddha
accepted atma in an ultimate sense. In affirming his view,
Radhakrishnan says that “the Buddha pointed out the reality of
nirvana, of an absolute self and of an absolute reality which he
chose to call dharma (The Dhammapada p.55). In addition to his
assertion on atma, the other two assertions Radhakrishnan makes
9in the above quoted statement) on nirvana and dharma are quite
controversial. The issue of the reality (bhaava) of nirvana has been
a matter of debate among the Buddhists themselves. For instance,
Buddhaghosa has a long discussion on this issue in the
Pannabhumi-niddesa of the Visuddhimagga, and therein he
concludes that nirvana is real. However, it is Nagarjuna who
cleverly demonstrated that both bhaava and abhaava (existence
and non-existence) are extremes to be avoided in discussing
nirvana (Nirvana-pariksa).
Reduction is clearly not rejection. It allows some kind of coexistence to a system along with the system which is taken as the
point of reference. In this case it is Hinduism. What usually
happens is to reinterpret the religion in question, Buddhism in this
particular case, to suit to one's own system. As we will see below
this is not confined to Hinduism alone; many contemporary
philosophers of religion seem to adopt a similar reductionist
approach toward other religions. This approach of contemporary
philosophers of religion is largely a result of their relativist and
post-modernist standpoints which tend to reject an exclusive
true/false distinction and accept in its place some form of
pluralism. For example, John Hick, whom I will discuss in
somewhat detail later, concedes that 'the world is religiously
ambiguous'. He comes to this conclusion faced with the
multiplicity of the explanations of the world advanced by
religions. What we will see below are not outright rejection, but
instances of reductionism.
In order to support his claim, Radhakrishnan refers to the Nagarasutta of the Samyutta-nikaya (II. P.105-6) where the Buddha
compares his Dhamma to a forgotten path and nirvana to an ancient
buried city. Radhakrishnan seems to understand the Buddha's
1
Prahaanam caabravicchaasta - bhavasya vibhavasya ca
tasmaannabhaavo naabhaavo - nirvaanamiti yujyate (Mulamadhyamakakarika 25: 10)
17
for which language has no expression. (The Dhammapada
p.49-50)
comparison as an indication of the possibility that the Buddha
considered his teaching as a rediscovery of the ancient brahmanic
tradition. In this context he approvingly quotes Max Muller who
said that Buddhism is “the highest Brahmanism popularized…” In
fact the Buddha has not denied the historically rootedness of his
teaching; he has clarified his position regarding important issues
with reference to his contemporary religious milieu. In the
Sangarava-sutta (Majjhima-nikaya 100) the Buddha refers to
three types of religious teachers in so far as their view on the means
of knowledge is concerned, namely, those who believed in the
textual tradition (anussavika); those who relied on logical
reasoning ( takki vimamsi) and those who relied on their own
higher knowledge (sayam abhinna sacchikatva…), and includes
himself within the third group. K.N. Jayatilleke has described them
as traditionalists, rationalists and experientialists respectively, and
has shown that some middle Upanisadic thinkers also belonged in
this last category. This evidence (including that of the Nagarasutta), however, cannot be interpreted as the Buddha's teaching in
its all respects as a re-emergence of the Upanisadic thinking. In the
Nagara-sutta itself the Buddha refers to the eightfold path as 'the
ancient path followed and practiced by the ancient Buddhas'
(puraanamaggo puraananjaso pubbakehi sammaasambuddhehi
anuyaato… Samyutta-nikaya II p. 106). The context makes clear
that what the Buddha meant by 'ancient path' is nothing other than
the eightfold path which is ancient only in the sense that it was
followed by the ancient Buddhas. There are other instances where
the Buddha identifies these ancient Buddhas by name. For
instance, as the very same Nidana-samyutta (of the Samyuttanikaya) bears evidence, the Buddha refers to the six past Buddhas,
namely, Vipassi, Sikhi, Vessabhu, Kakusandha, Konagamana and
Kassapa, and says that all of them comprehended the same
doctrine of dependent origination (paticca-samuppada) as he
himself did (Samyutta-nikaya II pp.7-9). There is a well known
statement of the Buddha in which he refers to the idea of paticcasamuppada as an aspect of the nature of things in the world which
exists whether or not the Buddhas were to appear (Samyuttanikaya II p.25). This statement seems to describe the paticcasamuppada as an eternal reality. But it is clear that it does not refer
to any 'eternal' dharma as Radhakrishnan wishes us to believe.
Radhakrishnan further supports his portrayal of Buddhist nirvana
as ineffable with a discussion of the beyond-the-word nature of the
atma frequently occurring in the major Upanisads. As we will see
in our discussion of Murti, the subsequent scholars have picked up
the idea of the silence of the Buddha in order to support their
transcendental interpretations of the ultimate Buddhist religious
experience or nirvana. It is assumed that the so-called silence of the
Buddha is a result of the alleged ineffable character of nirvana.
Radhakrishnan's Upanisadic reading of Buddhism does not allow
him to see the uniquely different character of nirvana. Since I have
dealt with both these ideas, silence of the Buddha and ineffability
of Buddhist nirvana in more detail previously I will not repeat
those arguments here. I will only refer the reader to my earlier work
Nirvana and Ineffability: A Study of the Buddhist Theory of Reality
and Language (Postgraduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist
Studies, Colombo, 1993). The negative theology, the divine dark,
the infinite God, shoreless ocean, the vast desert etc. which
radhakrishnan refers to are metaphors frequent in the theistic
religious literature but surely not in the Buddha's discourses
TRV Murti's response to Radhakrishnan:
TRV Murti who became renowned for his comparative work on
Nagarjuna and Kant (The Central Philosophy of Buddhism (CPB),
originally published in 1955) is a student of Radhakrishnan. Murti
acknowledged his intellectual debt to his teacher in his CPB.
Nevertheless he differs from Radhakrishnan in rejecting the view
that Buddhism is an offshoot of Upanisads. Even though Murti
does not refer to his teacher directly, it is clear that he was rejecting
Radhakrishnan's view when he wrote the following:
“Since the opening of the Buddhist scriptures to the
Western world it has become almost a stereotyped
opinion among orientalists to regard the Buddha as
carrying on the work of the Upanisadsic seers. Indian
philosophy is interpreted as having evolved out of one
single tradition - the Upanisadic. Buddhism and
Jainism are treated as deviations rather than as radical
departures from the Upanisadic tradition (atamavada)
(TRV Murti 1955/1998 p. 14).
There are two other interconnected claims Radhakrishnan makes
in connection with his overall thesis of Upanisadic Buddhism,
namely, the silence of the Buddha and the ineffability of nirvana.
Radhakrishnan produces five arguments in support of his claim
that “the Buddha's reasons for his silence are quite intelligible”.
The arguments are as follows: (1)the Buddha gave more emphasis
to facts than to theories for there were many theories rampant
during the time of the Buddha, and it was hard to distinguish
between ignorance caused by superstitions and sophistication
caused by learnedness ; (2) it is not doctrinal disputes but the
personal effort that would lead one to the realization of truth; (3)
the Buddha's mission was not only for intellectuals but also for the
ordinary people; so he laid more emphasis on the practice of
virtues than on theoretical speculations; (4) the affirmative
theology reduces the absolute into the relative; (5) the nature of the
absolute is beyond logical categories and conceptual articulation
(The Dhammapada pp.54-7).
Based on these arguments
Radhakrishnan concludes that nirvana is ineffable. He says:
Displacing Upanisads as the sole fountain of the entire Indian
philosophy, Murti maintained that there are two streams in Indian
philosophy. Accordingly he concluded that “Indian philosophy
must be interpreted as the flow of these two vital streams – one
having its source in atma doctrine of the Upanisads and the other in
the anatmavada of the Buddha (CPB p.12). Although Murti
allowed this independence to Buddhism his own interpretation of it
seems to follow very much the line of interpretation adopted by
Radhakrishnan.
A good way to demonstrate Murti's line of interpretation will be to
examine his analysis of the 'silence' of the Buddha. Murti has a
whole chapter on the issue of the Buddha's silence. After
discussing at length,
Murti dismisses all the leading
interpretations of the Buddha's silence such as agnosticism,
nihilism etc. Then he concludes that the silence is due to the
Buddha's awareness that the absolute is beyond empirical
characterization. Murti summarizes his conclusion in the
following words:
The liberated soul apart from the mortal constituents is
something real but ineffable. Nirvana is not extinction but is
the unconditioned life of the spirit. … It is capable only of
negative description. The expressions of negative theology,
the divine dark, the infinite God, the shoreless ocean, the vast
desert, occur again and again. It is not being in the ordinary
sense and yet a positive reality of which thought has no idea,
2 Jayatilleke, K.N. (1980; originally published in 1963 by George Allen and Unwin, London)
Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge (New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass).
18
The Buddha did not doubt the reality of Nirvana
(Absolute); only he would not allow us to characterize
and clothe it in empirical terms as being, non-being etc.
His silence can only be interpreted as meaning the
consciousness of the indescribable nature of the
Unconditioned Reality (CPB p.48).
Conclusion
The contemporary Indian interpretations of Buddhism we just
discussed are different from their ancient counterparts in that
whereas the latter are unanimous in their dismissal of the teaching
of the Buddha as a form of nihilism the former seem to adopt an
assimilative approach. Under this new interpretation Buddhism is
not nihilist but transcendentalist and absolutist like any other
religion, in particular like Upanisaidc religion. Although this is not
an outright rejection, it is a kind of reductionism in which
Buddhism is made to appear yet another articulation of the age-old
Upanisadic tradition. What we have outlined as RadhakrishnanMurti interpretation of Buddhism has become almost the received
view of Buddhism among the Indian scholars who came after
them. Consequently Indian scholars (not all) have failed to
appreciate Buddhism as a religious teaching of its own right, losing
in the process the sight of Buddhism as having its own
epistemological, moral and soteriological dimensions
Murti refers to Radhakrishnan (Indian Philosophy vol. I pp.682-3)
in support of his interpretation and further refers to the via
negativa of the Upanisads articulated by 'neti, net.i' In describing
the Buddhist concept of nirvana in these absolutist and
transcendentalist lines Murti is essentially following the foot prints
of his teacher, Radhakrishnan. Therefore the response to
Radhakrishnan as outlined above should equally be applicable to
Murti.
The position jointly held by Radhakrishnan and Murti is that
Buddhism ultimately upholds an absolute which is transcendental
and hence ineffable. The thesis behind this claim is a universal
claim, namely, that all religions are ultimately forms of absolutism.
Radhakrishnan says: “The Absolute is apprehended by us in
numberless ways. Each religion selects some one aspect of it and
makes it the centre to which others are referred to” (The
Dhammapada, p.41). This is not a new position for it has been
voiced in the early Vedic literature in the following words: “ekam
hi sat vipra bahudha vadanti”: - the real is one; sages describe it
differently. More recently another well known philosopher of
Religion, John Hick has held almost an identical position (An
Interpretation of Religion, New Heaven: Yale University Press,
1999) regarding religious experience in general. Hick undertakes
to study the ultimate realities mentioned in all the major religions,
and finds that these realities have been described in those religions
either in personal terms or in impersonal terms. Hick calls the
former 'personae' and the latte`r 'impersonae' of religious
experience. Yahweh, Allah, Krishna etc. are the personae of the
religious experience whereas Brahman, Tathata, Satori etc. are the
examples of the impersonae. Hick claims that these differences
are only the matters of naming the identical religious experience
which is one, they are different only in terms. The difference
therefore is only apparent and not real. Ultimately all these various
terms refer to the same transcendental ultimate reality which Hick
calls 'the Real' or 'the Transcendental.' Hick's position is a mere
restatement of the ancient Vedic position mentioned above. The
difference is that his application covers much wider area including
both theistic and non-theistic religions.
References
Hick, John (1999) An Interpretation of Religion (New Heaven: Yale
University Press).
Jayatilleke, K.N. (1980; originally published in 1963 by George Allen and
Unwin, London) Early Buddhist Theory of Knowledge (New Delhi:
Motilal Banarsidass).
Murti, T.R.V. (1998 Originally published by in 1955 by George Allen and
Unwin, London) The Central Philosophy of Buddhism ( New Delhi: Harper
and Collins).
Nanamoli, Bhikkhu and Bodhi, Bhikkhu (1995/2001) The Middle Length
Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, USA).
Radhakrishnan, S. (2006 Originally published in 1950) The Dhammapada
(New Delhi: Oxford University Press).
Tilakaratne, Asanga (1993) Nirvana and Ineffability: A Study of the
Buddhist Theory of Reality and Language (Colombo: Postgraduate
Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies).
19
Buddha’s Dhamma as the Foundation of Intercultural Dialogue
Between India and Sri Lanka
Hari Shankar Prasad
universalizable ethical principles, without being grounded in any
God, Holy Scripture or substantialist soul, in the neighbouring
countries like Sri Lanka through his emissaries. It is important to
note that Sri Lanka not only adopted Buddhism as a state religion
but also promoted and practiced it throughout its history since
Asoka's period.
However, it is an irony that Buddhism in India could not flourish as
a national religion under the mighty Vedic (or so-called Hindu)
religion, culture, and political system, which assimilated Buddhist
doctrines and techniques into their vast growth and overpowered it
by means of various metaphysical doctrines, religious beliefs,
myths, rituals, and non-ethical practices, which suited the lazy
minded people. This was a conspiracy played jointly by the priestly
and political classes. Besides, the physical assaults on the Buddhist
monks and institutions by the Muslim rulers in India proved to be a
death blow to Buddhism. Thus Buddhism of course could not
survive in India but not without transforming the intellectual and
cultural traditions of India. In many south and south-east Asian
countries Buddhism is either a state religion or a dominant
religion. Today it is one of the most respected and fast growing
religions of the world. In India too now it is acquiring its ancient
glory because of its international respectability.
Prof. (Dr.) Hari Shankar Prasad
Dr. Hari Shankar Prasad is Professor and Head of
Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi. He is also
Dean of Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi and Chairman of
Board of Research Studies (Humanities), University of
Delhi. He is M.Phil. and M.Tech from Banaras Hindu
University and did his doctorate (Ph.D.) from Australia
National University. His area of specialization is Indian
philosophy and Buddhist philosophy. Around 24 students got
their M.Phil and Ph.D degrees under his
guidance/supervision. He has written about 7 books on
philosophy and his 3 research papers and more than 30
articles have been published in various journals. He is the
member of 'International Association for the History of
Religion' and General Secretary of 'Indian Association for
the Study of Religion'. He has presented papers in
numerous conferences and seminars and delivered lectures
on various Indian philosophical themes in many universities
in India, Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, New Castle, La
Trobe, Bamberg, Bonn, Koln, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin,
Utrecht, Vienna, UNESCO (Paris), Kyoto, Tokyo, Taisho,
Virginia, Bali, Mauritius, etc. He was also Professor at
Bamerg University (Germany), Mangala Vihar (Buddhist &
Pali College) Singapore, Technical University, Berlin and
UNESCO Expert on the Philosophy of Interculturality and
got German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Fellowship from Bamberg University, Germany.
The Sri Lankan society, which is primarily dominated by Buddhist
ideas and practices, shares ancient Indian values in general. This
provides a strong natural foundation for interfaith and intercultural
dialogue, which is the best way of mutual understanding,
appreciation, adjustment, enrichment, and above all embarking on
mutual goal of international peace and prosperity. Since both the
countries are socially and culturally pluralistic and have
democratic system of governance founded on robust ethical
principles, the task of jointly working on all issues of national and
international interests becomes easier.
To understand properly the Sri Lankan culture and society it is
imperative that we explore its history and cultural beliefs and
practices since the inception of Buddhism into Sri Lanka by
Mahendra, the son of Asoka whose following messages and
doctrines (as inscribed in the Rock and Pillar Edicts) are still alive
and practiced by the Buddhists:
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In the present article I propose to discuss the very definition,
presuppositions, conditions, and criteria of interfaith or
intercultural dialogue such as the one between the cultures of two
neighbours, Sri Lanka and India. I firmly believe that Buddha's
Dhamma provides the very foundation for such a dialogue as it
believes in universal humanity and aims at ethicizing the human
self, behaviour, society, and the entire universe through its
teachings of and emphasis on practice of the universal ethical
principles contained in its doctrines (dhamma) of pancasila,
dasasila, brhamaviharas, astangamarga, karuna, prajna,
paramitas, and sunyata. Its primary focus, as we know, is on the
purification of human mind, which is the foundation of developing
a common humanity, rational and moral self, holistic society,
harmony, peace, and happiness. These are the reasons that Asoka
the Great adopted Buddhism and made a concerted effort to spread
and promote the Buddha's teachings (Dhamma), which contain
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20
According to the Buddha's Dhamma, everybody is
equal.
Imparting the knowledge of the Dhamma
(Dhammadana) is the best form of charity which results
in mutual respect and friendship.
He advised people to maintain restraint in consumption
of food and possession of wealth.
He remained accessible to public twenty-four hours a
day to attend their grievances.
He worked for the benefit of every sentient being. He
thought he owed to them a lot.
He described the Dhamma as goodness, reduced
passion, aimed at welfare, sympathetic, charity, truth,
purity of action, etc.
He promulgated moral rules like non-violence and
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mutual respect, a passionate humanitarian religious spirit to work
together without any prejudice and without invoking other
differences, and a recognition of the limitation of one's own
religion/culture and so the need to involve other religions/cultures.
With this background, now we can say that the stage is ready to
identify the universal common humanitarian concern and to
prepare a common action plan. Note that this is a continuous
process through which interfaith/intercultural dialogue matures
and becomes more and more effective at every level of its
development. A serious participation in an interfaith/intercultural
dialogue is an act of transformed consciousness, a higher level of
consciousness, which deconstructs one's narrow sectarian
selfhood and sees the entire humanity as the field of action. This is
the true worldly goal of every religion/culture linked with its
eschatological goal as well. This realization gives rise to a sense of
religious/cultural responsibility toward humanity without fear of
the loss of religious/cultural identity. This fear has so far not only
created violent conflicts but also prevented the people from
developing their innermost nature, a state of being oneself, which
appropriates the “others” for its own sake. This radical
transformation takes care of the troubled humanity and sets a
highly normative agenda.
emphasized contemplation on the Dhamma.
He valued life, respected people's dignity, declared
amnesties twenty five times, and administered justice
based on equality.
He was not biased to any particular Buddhist sect.
He respected all religions, allowed their followers to
practice their religions anywhere in his kingdom, gave
charity to them, and appointed ministers to look after
their affairs.
With these brief remarks I would now like to discuss the nature and
conditions of interfaith or intercultural dialogue, which are
required to be kept in mind for any successful creative cultural
encounters between the two neighbours.
Now our task is to explore the ability of Buddhism to contribute to
and strengthen the interfaith or intercultural dialogue in order to
overcome the actual or possible interfaith or intercultural conflicts
in various parts of the world so that creative harmony and peace
can be established. Interfaith or intercultural dialogue in general
values interdependence over independence, pluralism over
absolutism, mutual respect and adjustment over hegemony, and
difference over identity. The Buddha's Dhamma has all these
things. The entire Buddhism has developed along these lines. This
is amply clear from the study of the Buddhist manner of thinking
toward human issues and problems, along with its basic structures
and tenets, the Buddhist response to interfaith dialogue and its
ability to strengthen it, its dealing with the contemporary social
and political issues like equality, justice, liberty, and human rights,
and its attitude toward other religions and cultures and engagement
with conflict resolution.
Buddhism is extremely cautious about the above sensitive issues
and so it emphasizes ethicization and humanization of the world. It
believes that these are the two processes which can be carried out
only by human effort irrespective of the fact whether one is a theist
or not. The central or pivotal doctrine of Buddhism is called the
doctrine of interdependence or dependent arising
(pratityasamutpada) which defines the very manner of any
existence, functioning, or organization, be it epistemological,
ontological, conceptual, ethical, social, or political. This is also
called the middle path which avoids any extreme position. Despite
its denial of the existence of God and soul, it is a religion and
culture because of its emphasis on ethicization and humanization
of the world and its attempt to equate it with eschatological and
soteriological goals.
Interfaith or intercultural dialogue between two religious or
cultural groups, despite being external to each other but never
totally incommensurable, presupposes that each one is committed
to positive socio-political action and has the basic understanding of
the internal structure of other's religious and cultural truth claims
and tenets in proper contexts, and then try to judge them both
internally and externally in such a way that its positive and suitable
aspects are projected for the present purpose. Remember that the
motive is always social harmony and peace, which are the
foundational values. What is important about interfaith or
intercultural dialogue is to see how different religious and cultural
claims promote these values. This involves both transcendence
and development of certain doctrinal beliefs within the internal
structure in order to join hands with the external religion or culture
to address common concern. Every religion or culture has divine
sanction for such attempts, although they may be required to be
explored and emphasized. Without this there cannot be a true
religion, or culture, or civilization. With this plan at hand, a
religion or culture is then subjected to objective evaluation.
What is Interfaith Dialogue?
Interfaith intercultural dialogue is today's necessity for creative
peace, harmony, tolerance, and prosperity in the world.
Religious/cultural pluralism is a historical fact and
interfaith/cultural dialogue not only presupposes this fact but also
recognizes it as an opportunity for the development of a religion or
culture. A religion/culture is a great living force, a powerful
worldview with faith and praxis, a set of doctrines, myths, rituals,
and customs. Besides, it has varied dimensions – anthropological,
historical, geographical, sociological, cultural, political, and
soteriological – which have given birth to innumerable
religions/culture. Needless to say, these religions/cultures have
tremendously affected the human life throughout the world at all
times. In their history, they have been instrumental in organizing
the humanity in the realms of their influence for the benefits of
their followers, but it is also a truth that inter- and intrareligious/cultural clashes have killed millions of people and
proved to be ghastly atrocious in many other ways. In the name of
religion/culture we have seen throughout the world in the past, and
even today, people have suffered from superstition, selfmortification, intolerance, violence, hatred, bigotry, slavery,
exploitation, and so on and so forth. It is an irony that even the nonreligious and anti-religious worldviews like scientism and
Marxism have not been less atrocious. According to Buddhism,
any ideology, whether religious, cultural, political, national, or
racial, is an intoxicant (ditthiraga), which is a serious hindrance in
the process of ethicization and humanization of the world. That is
The real test of an interfaith/intercultural dialogue is in a concrete
conflict situation. In such a situation, it is of utmost importance that
the participants properly understand the internal structures of both
one's own and other's religion/culture and identify their
hierarchical leadership structures as well. The practical tool for
further action is to approach the leadership of both the parties to
realize the necessity of addressing the issues of common concern
for the sake of peaceful coexistence which necessarily requires
interdependence
Since interfaith/intercultural dialogue is a very sensitive normative
issue, the proper and sympathetic understanding of the other's
religious/cultural claims and its rational application to the dialogue
demand utmost care. The whole exercise includes openness and
21
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why it recommends deconstruction of ideologies and identities
(sunyata).
The situation today is very complex. Many major religions like
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism crossed their regions
of birth long ago and are still expanding. Their new denominations
have emerged for different reasons – doctrinal differences,
migration, encounters with other religions, and needs of time and
situation. Many traditional values and customs have changed and
many others are under threat from scientific development,
industrialization, communism, secularism, democratization,
materialism, and consumerism. In many parts of the world,
fundamentalism and regimentation, and political ideology and
religion are combined. The result is there to see. In other parts,
exclusive individualism is threatening the institutions of family,
society, and religion. All these create a very gloomy picture of the
world today. Interfaith dialogue addresses most of these issues and
tries to find amicable solutions to them.
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What is interfaith dialogue? It is a creative encounter, an interface,
an attempt to understand each other, accommodate and enrich each
other between two or more systems of religions or existential
worldviews which have competing truth-claims, doctrines, faiths,
Godheads, customs, goals, and in general conflicting perspectives.
This means each worldview has to face many opposite worldviews
and the challenges posed by them. The objective of interfaith
dialogue is to create mutual understanding, respect, and tolerance,
to unitedly work for peace and prosperity of the humanity and the
world at large without harming the identity of any religion. It is
believed that every religion has some universalizable values as
common ground. A simple desire or openness to understand the
other is a necessary and good condition for initiating a dialogue.
Other issues are taken up gradually, for example, the necessity to
redefine, reorient, and enlarge some of the key concepts of a
religious system. How to go about the whole scheme is the next
step. Here are some of the important points as prerequisites1 for
consideration:
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Varied appeals to their respective mysticism or
prophetic experiences or Holy Scriptures by different
participating parties have the potentiality of
sabotaging the spirit of interfaith dialogue.
The thesis that “truth is one but approaches to it are
many” won't hold either as it would be impossible to
determine the absolute nature and contents of that 'One
Truth” given the various conflicting conceptual
frameworks. Also because all approaches have to be
taken equally valid. This means the possibility of
interreligious conflict and so interfaith dialogue are
ruled out. This goes against the ground reality.
Every religion represents only a segment of the
humanity despite the claim that it is universal in
character. This failure has to be looked into.
There is not an automatic descent of religious truth on
the earth universally available and effective to the
entire humanity.
The emphasis should be more on learning each other's
religion and mutual accommodation, rather than
validating one's religion and conversion of others.
The finality-claim of truth has to be suspended by the
partners in the dialogue. At the same time at some stage
some criteria of truth have to be found in search of a
common ground and a mechanism has to be devised to
eliminate unsound and ungrounded truth-claims,
which is a daunting task.
The Interfaith Criteria of Truth
A serious attempt is imperative to look for some criteria of truth2
which can appeal to all participants in the interfaith dialogue. The
following ones are worth considering:

To realize that religious pluralism is not only a hard
fact but also a necessity to maintain the dynamism and
growth of a religious worldview.
To properly understand any other religion is to
understand its internal structure, i.e. the
phenomenology of that religion from an authentic
representative of that religion. It is to be remembered
that every religion has both deep and surface
structures.
To recognize that other religions also have some
unique concepts of truth, which have united a section
of the humanity for a long time.
Every religion has a humanization and ethicization
programme.
Every religion has an idea of Golden Rule of treating
both self and the other in equal terms.
To recognize the fact that there are not any two
worldviews which are either totally incommensurable
or totally commensurable. Instead they have many
common grounds and interests.
The unity of the two worldviews does not mean
uniformity; it aims at formulating a common minimum
programme.
To realize that the desired truth, i.e. the new truth, will
emerge in the process of dialogue itself.
Exclusivism, inclusivism, absolutism, and relativism
are detrimental to the interfaith dialogue.
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Criterion of Experience: It involves direct experience of
the religious truth whose contents have to be shown
meaningful and made liable to be a subject of public
discourse.
Criterion of Rationality: It demands that the experienced
truth should stand to sound rational evaluation.
Criterion of Public Morality: It emphasizes the point
that the truth must be inseparable from universal public
morality.
Criterion of Humanization: It emphasizes a shift from
the surface structure to the deep structure of a religion
and utilizes the latter to embark on a humanization
programme to create a world of human concern without
neglecting the ecological concern.
Criterion of Transcendence: It seeks transcendence of
personal salvific interest to global altruism and
reorientation of key concepts of a religion.
Criterion of Reinterpretation: It advocates the necessity
of reinterpretation of religious doctrines and faith to
bridge the gap between divinity and humanity on the one
hand and between humanity and Nature on the other. In
this context, the corresponding action plan needs the
human effort to implement it.
Criterion of Transformation: It highlights the power of a
religion as an instrument to transform its followers to
create a peaceful and harmonious humane world.
Divergent Responses on the Interfaith Dialogue
There have been divergent responses to the proposal of interfaith
dialogue. Diana Eck3 finds three such responses: (i) Exclusivism: It
22
of the words happening between us can we understand
each other. We both listen.” (Raimundo Panikkar)7
is a chauvinistic tendency of a religion, which claims to have
exclusive claim about truth and so looks down upon other religions
as false or imperfect. (ii) Inclusivism: It is a mind set according to
which a religion advocates one universal religion and considers
itself as the perfect and so comprehensive that all religions can be
merged into it. And (iii) Pluralism: It recognizes the autonomy of
every religion and considers the religious pluralism as the
necessary condition for interfaith dialogue which aims at
consensus, common good, united action plan, highlighting the
positive points in others' religions, and mutual enrichment and
adjustment. “By pluralism,” writes Raimundo Panikkar, “I mean
the awareness of the legitimate coexistence of systems of thought,
life, and action which, on the other hand, are judged incompatible
among themselves.” Besides, there are two other responses: (iv)
Relativism, according to which every religion is right in its own
way. This denies the very necessity of interfaith dialogue. It is a
self-stultifying way of thinking. (v) “One Truth Many
Approaches”: Its simple theory is that various truth-claims lead to
One Ultimate Truth. This in disguise admits the simultaneous
validity of all approaches. The mystics maintain so. This is
obviously untenable. Except pluralism, the remaining ones do not
have a rational theory of other's perspectives, i.e. the recognition of
the other as other.
Buddhist Response to Interfaith Dialogue
The discussion of Buddhism above has made it amply clear that it
is a radical religion in many ways. Its founder the Buddha goes
against the prevailing religious beliefs and practices. In my
opinion, Buddhism meets all the requirements needed for
interfaith dialogue:
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Quotes on Interfaith Dialogue
I am giving here some selected quotes on the subject under
consideration by great thinkers and interfaith organizations of our
time:
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“If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to
the world it is this: It has proved to the world that
holiness, purity, and charity are not the exclusive
possession of any church in the world, and that every
system has produced men and women of the most
exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody
dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and
the destruction of others, I pity him from the bottom of
my heart.” – Swami Vivekananda.4
The Golden Rule: “There is a principle which is found
and has persisted in many religious and ethical traditions
of humankind for thousands of years: What you do not
wish done to yourself, do not do to others. Or in positive
terms: What you wish done to yourself, do to others!
This should be the irrevocable, unconditional norm for
all area of life, for families and communities, for races,
nations, and religions.” – The Declaration Toward a
Global Ethics.5
“[B]ring religions and spiritual traditions to a common
table, where, respecting each other's distinctness, they
may seek the common ground necessary to make peace
among themselves and to work together, in dialogue
with local, national, and international organizations, to
create a sustainable future for all people on the earth.” –
Bishop Williams Swing.6
“The dialogical dialogue is, in my opinion,
indispensable as the only, or at least as the most
promising, chance for a fruitful encounter. . . . In the
dialogical dialogue I am open to the other in such a way
that my partner can discover my myths, my subjacent
assumption – and vice versa, of course. The authentic
dialogue exists neither in what I say, nor in what my
partner adds, but in that which takes place in the
dialogue itself. Neither of us knows what is going to
happen beforehand, nor have we any power over it
during the process. Only when we stand under the spell
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23
The Buddha considers himself a worldly person who is
enlightened through his own insight developed by
himself and asks his disciples to experience himself the
truth of life.
Buddhism holds a naturalistic view of man who is a
sociable being whose suffering is to be redeemed. He is a
cluster of mind, body, desire, will, motive, intention,
inclination, emotion, and reason.
Man is liable to ethical and spiritual transformation
without any external intervention or grace and without
any gender distinction. For Buddhism, humanity is one
whole.
The Buddha suggests experiential and rational
examination of his Dharma and asks his followers not to
spare him out of sheer reverence to him.
He maintains that his Dhamma consists of the ethical
principles which have intrinsic value and are also
equated to nirvana, the ultimate religious good.
He does not believe in personality cult and advocates the
primacy of the Dhamma over his own identity as the
Buddha, a spiritual teacher. He tells his favourite
disciple, Ananda, “Dwell making yourselves your island
(support), making yourselves, not anyone else, your
refuge; making the Dhamma your island (support), the
Dhamma your refuge, nothing else your refuge.”8
Further, he says, “Whether Tathagata [=the Buddha] do
or not arise (or appear), . . . that fixed sequence of
dhamma (or its regulative principle, . . ) is firmly
established.”9
He restructures humanity according to the ethical and
spiritual development of man, not on the basis of cult,
caste, faith, race, gender, colour, nationality, or any other
non-ethical identity.
Buddhism thinks that God-centric religions are bound to
hamper ethical development of men and create
interreligious conflicts, so human effort assisted by the
cultivated mind is the only way to overcome such
problems and many others.
The Buddha draws our attention to the urgency of
immediate concern of life and so he asks us to shift the
focus from the pernicious speculative and conventional
views to the burning ethical concerns. His parable of
arrow10 makes this point very clear. If a person is struck
by an arrow in his chest and is in excruciating pain, his
immediate priority should be to get medical aid. But if he
does not focus on the immediate concern of how to
remove the arrow and cure the wound, his curiosity
knowing about such irrelevant things - the size and stuff
of the arrow, who hit it, what is his caste, and where did it
come from and so on – would prove to be suicidal. In the
similar vein, when he was asked speculative questions
about the origin of the universe, metaphysical self, and
other dogmas, he maintained deliberate silence because
they were ethically useless, irrelevant, pernicious, and
unanswerable.
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which gets reflected in implicit or explicit behaviour.
According to it, “Grasping at wrong view” is the most
dangerous factor which is creating all sorts of conflicts at
personal, social, and global levels. The Buddha faces a
peculiar situation of conflicts. His emphasis on
immediate ethical concern and advice to neglect other
unethical matters discomforts other religionists, who
sometimes fiercely oppose the Buddha's enterprise. In
this vein, he say, “I am not in dispute with the world,
rather the world is in dispute with me. A dhammafollower never disputes with the world.”17
The Buddhist ultimate goal is to do good to others, as
much as possible, out of compassion which is an ethical
concern – “For the welfare of many, for the happiness of
many, out of compassion for the entire world.”11 And this
is possible only through global ethicization and
humanization of the action plan.
The Buddha realizes that grasping at their own views
and competing truth-claims by the followers of different
religions hijack the deep structures of their own
religions and trivialize them by reducing the deep
structures to surface structures. To maintain the
dynamism and development of a religion, the Buddha
rejects the absolute truth-claim – “This alone is Truth,
and everything else is false.”12 He further says, “To be
attached to one thing (to a certain view) and to look
down upon other things (views) as inferior – this the
wise men call a fetter.”13 His raft simile14 applied to his
Dhamma makes a significant point that there should be
no grasping at Dhamma which is actually manifested
only in the ethical and spiritual development of man.
Just as a raft is useful in crossing over a river, the
Dhamma is useful in redeeming the human suffering and
bringing lasting peace and freedom. But just as it would
be foolish and harmful to carry on the raft on the
shoulder simply because it helped cross over the river,
likewise it would be foolish and harmful to hold on to the
Dhamma, or any other religious view.
The Buddha is averse to the idea of conversion to any
foreign faith. He believes in ethical and spiritual
transformation of man not just conversion to any other
faith. When a Jaina householder Upali approached him
to convert him into his religion, the Buddha asked him to
seriously reconsider his decision and to continue to
respect and practice his own religion. In another context,
when a person called Malunkyaputta, expressed his
desire to accept the Buddha as his religious leader, the
latter asked him, “Did I ever tell you Malunkyaputta,
“Come, Malunkyaputta, lead the holy life under me . .
.”15 What he wants to say is that a religious identity is
meaningless rather harmful, if we do not develop
ourselves ethically and spiritually.
The Buddha emphasizes on moral question and training,
cultivation of mind, and moral sensitization.
Since ethical and spiritual transformation requires
continuous effort and development which implies
change, there is an endless possibility and necessity too
to maintain the dynamism of religion.
Buddhism, in letter and spirit, respects other religions. In
the Rock Edict XII, Asoka says:
Buddhism on Equality, Justice, Liberty, and
Human Rights
Equality, Justice, Liberty, and Human Rights are four key values of
today's free democratic world. Strictly speaking, they fall under
social and political philosophy, but religious responses to them are
not a new thing. In ancient times in India, they were not discussed
as separate issues in detail, but as part of the holistic worldview.
This means reconstruction and reinterpretation of some of the key
passages in the ancient literature are required so that we can have
some idea about the hidden Indian theories of these concepts.
As to equality, there are different kinds of equality, such as
metaphysical, ethical, natural, social, economic, political, and
gender. Moreover, if humanity is one united whole, i.e. if each
human being is an instantiation of humanity and is interdependent
and kinly related to other human beings, whether because of God's
creation or natural creation, all human beings are equal in terms of
biological constitution, feeling, reason, desire, disposition of
sociability, aspirations, and so on. Equality does not mean that
everybody is equal in every sense like physical fitness and
strength, intelligence and temperament, and conditions and needs.
Equality in a simple term means recognition of each individual as a
dignified subject in himself/herself, availability of opportunity and
resources to each one, and equal in the eyes of law without any
distinction in terms of social status, caste, creed, race, faith,
religion, gender, etc. Most of the inequalities are man-made. Hindu
caste-system is an example of this. The principle of justice, along
with the principles of liberty and human rights, is derived from the
principle of equality. This means equality is the foundation or
operating field of these principles. Once equality is in force,
justice, liberty, human rights, social change, personal
development, peace, harmony, and prosperity are on the fast track.
On the contrary, man-made inequality is the source of injustice,
exploitation, atrocities, violence, social unrest, and disharmony.
The Dhamma, since it is not any religion-centric, can be a rallying
point in the interfaith dialogue, for the reason that it is an eternal,
natural, and ethical principle encompassing all sentient beings of
all times and in all places. It is an ethical truth as against a hollow
sectarian metaphysical truth. If universal human goal is the need of
today, then Dhamma is the solution as it bridges the gap between
faith and praxis, between ideal and real. Socially engaged
Buddhism takes care of the contemporary issues like equality,
justice, liberty, human rights, and other social goods.
One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn
the religions of the others, but one should honour others'
religions for this or that reason. So doing, one helps one's own
religion to grow and render service to the religions of others
too. In acting otherwise one digs the grave of one's own
religion and also does harm to other religions. Whosoever
honours his own religion and condemns other religions, does
so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking “I will
glorify my own religion”. But on the contrary, in so doing he
injures his own religion more gravely. So concord is good: Let
all listen, and be willing to listen to the doctrines professed by
others.16
 War and peace have been hot issues in every age and
society. Buddhism would never justify war at any cost in
principle. Aggressive war is unthinkable in it. It locates
the origin of both war and peace in the human mind
The Buddhist principle of interdependence (paticcasamuppada)
recognizes the mutual necessity of self and other. This means each
self is the source of other's good and vice versa. Self-transcendence
is not only self-development but also self-fulfillment which
requires the other as a necessary condition. In Buddhism, suffering
is considered a universal problem, so there should be a universal
solution and perfect universal ethical practice is that solution,
which in the theistic religions is the disposition of God. It is not
confined to any age or place. In is the only interreligious ground.
24
harmonious and peaceful society is established. The Buddha talks
of an ideal ruler who takes care of the needs and welfare of his
subject according to the Dhamma. Nagarjuna, a great Buddhist
thinker (second century A.D.), has a long list of advice for King
Udaya in this regard:
The five precepts, noble eightfold path, four social emotions (or
four sublime states of Brahma), Bodhisattva ideal, and ten
perfections collectively provide the ethical paradigm for
interpersonal relationship. It aims at perfecting the moral agent
who has to imbibe and practice such values as equality, justice,
liberty, and human rights. For Buddhism, these are dynamic ethical
concepts. The Buddhist ethical paradigm first generates the moral
and social rectitude which in action combines these values. It is a
continuous historical process in which religious, social, political,
and educational institutions are actively involved. It is actually a
progressive ethicization and humanization programme, which,
according to the needs and situations, goes for reinterpretation and
reorientation of the traditional concepts.
Cause the blind, the sick, the lowly, the protectorless, the
wretched/
And the crippled equally to attain food and drink without
interruption//
Always care compassionately for the sick, the unprotected,
those stricken/
With suffering, the lowly and the poor and take special care to
nourish them//
Provide extensive care for the persecuted, the victims (of
disaster)/
The stricken and diseased, and for worldly beings in
conquered areas//
Provide stricken farmers with seeds and sustenance/
Eliminate high taxes by reducing their rate//
Eliminate thieves and robbers in your own and others'
countries/
Please set prices fairly and keep profits level (when things are
scarce)//19
The Buddhist concept of universal equality is based on its treating
humanity as a community of sufferers as against the Vedic concept
of humanity with its divine structure into fourfold hierarchical
division, which is the permanent source of inequality and injustice,
and thus the source of various social evils. The Buddha takes
humanity as one species, and restructures it in terms of ethical
development of human beings under full liberty from the bondage
of the unexamined existing tradition and beliefs. He argues that
man is endowed with the cognitive faculty to experience for
himself and with the faculty of reason which enable him to
distinguish between good and evil, and right and wrong. The
function of a teacher, a family, a society, and a religious or political
institution is to recognize these faculties as natural gifts which
have great values not only for the individual but also for the
society, and to create conducive conditions – such as economic,
educational, social, and political - for their cultivation.
Human Rights
In the Buddhist worldview, a person enjoys equality, liberty,
justice, dignity, and respect for life. According to it, human right
issues are primarily ethical and only secondarily political and
legal. All the above values reinforce each other, but the value of
equality has primacy over others because it fulfills the basic
necessity of the natural law (Dhamma) to entitle a human being to
be a dignified member of the universal humanity which is the
community of sufferers. The principles of the Dhamma covers
both natural law and the natural rights, which fight against the
narrow and unjust conventional laws to be broader and universal.
The Dhamma principles are independent of any cultural and social
contexts. Social values like justice are judged in the light of these
principles. Inada succinctly explains the Buddhist approach to the
issues of the human rights:
Economic Condition
The Buddha is aware of the economic disparity and poverty as the
main source of social evils and immorality. He greatly values the
ideal and practice of 'giving' (dana) to the poor and needy by
wealthy ones and the State as the remedy of such social evils.
'Giving' here also involves distributive justice. But the rightful
acquisition of wealth without greed, its enjoyment with
contentment and renunciation, and not taking what is not due to
one as parts of the Buddhist way of living are strongly emphasized.
The Buddha sees a chain of moral and social problems leading to
social disharmony if 'giving' is not values and practiced seriously:
Human rights is indeed an important issue, but the
Buddhist position is that it is ancillary to the larger or
more basic issue of human nature. It can be asserted that
the Buddhist sees the concept of human rights as a legal
extension of human nature. It is a crystallization, indeed
a formalization, of the mutual respect and concern of all
persons, stemming from human nature. Thus, human
nature is the ultimate source, the basis from which all
other attributes or characteristics are to be delineated.
They all have their respective raison d'etre in it. They
are reflections and even byproducts of it. The reason for
assigning human nature the basic position is very
simple. It is to give human relations a firm grounding in
the truly existential nature of things: that is, the concrete
and dynamic relational nature of persons in contact with
each other, that which [sic] avoids being caught up in
rhetorical or legalistic tangles.20
Thus, from the not giving of property to the needy,
poverty became rife, from the growth of poverty, the
taking of what was not given increased, from the
increase of theft, the use of weapon increased, from the
increased use of weapon, the taking of life increased –
and from the taking of life, people's life-span decreased,
their beauty decreased.18
Educational Condition
The Buddha and Buddhism advocates for the basic necessity of
education which involves acquisition of right knowledge, sound
reasoning, cultivation of mindfulness, development of moral
rectitude, perfection of virtues, etc. which make a person a good
autonomous moral agent. Education instills wholesome values –
such as equality, justice, liberty, and human rights – in him.
It is by now clear that Buddhism aims at the universal ethicization
and humanization programme. The Buddha's most fundamental
realization is the common problem of the universal humanity
whose members are equally governed by natural laws and rights.
The whole effort of the Buddha and Buddhism is to execute this
Social and Political Conditions
These conditions are of utmost importance, because they ensure
the protection and promotion of the above values so that a
25
15
Ibid., p. 13; also see pp. 4 & 8.
Ibid., p. 4.
17
Samyuttanikaya, III, p. 138.
18
Harvey, p. 197.
19
Ibid., p. 199.
20
Quoted in Keown, p. 67.
programme by ethically transforming every human being through
self-effort. To resolve the interreligious/intercultural conflicts it is
necessary that we hold an interreligious/intercultural dialogue by
suspending our sectarian beliefs and truth-claims, but at the same
time devise a way how to go about the universal ethicization and
humanization programme. Each religion or culture has this
programme but sadly it is neglected and overpowered by its
sectarian and dogmatic elements. In the case of Sri Lanka and India
all conditions are present for a fruitful interface between the two
cultures. What is now required is a sincere desire followed by
conceptual clarity, appropriate planning, focus on the purpose, and
commitment on the part of the people involved in this enterprise be
they politicians, diplomats, intellectuals, religious leaders, and
general public to work together to translate the possibility into
actuality.
16
Bibliography
Conze, Edward, Buddhist Thought in India, University of Michigan Press,
Paperback, 1967.
Dean, Thomas, Religious Pluralism and Truth, Essays on Cross-Cultural
Philosophy of Religion,
Delhi, Sri Satguru Publications, 1997. (First edition, State University of
New York, 1995)
References
Fisher, Mary Pat, Living Religions, Fifth edition, Boston, Pearson Custom
Publishing, 2003.
1
See articles in Dean.
Ibid.; Fisher, chapter 13.
3
Fisher, p. 469.
4
Ibid., pp. 476 - 472.
5
Ibid., p. 472.
6
Ibid.
7
See Dean, p. 41.
8
Rahula, p. 61.
9
Conze, p. 93.
10
Rahula, p. 14.
11
Ibid., p. 46.
12
Ibid., p. 10.
13
Ibid.
14
Ibid., p. 11.
2
Harvey, Peter, An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics, Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press, 2000.
Keown, Damien, “Buddhism and Human Rights,” in Keown, Damien
(ed.), Contemporary Buddhist Ethics, Richmong, Surrey, Corzon Press,
2000, pp. 57–79.
Rahula, Walpola, What the Buddha Taught, London, Gordon Fraser, 1978.
(First edition, 1959)
Samyuttanikaya, III, ed. M. Leon Feer, London, Pali Texts Society, reprint,
1975.
26
Buddhist Central Value System and Sri Lankan Society
H. M. D. R. Herath
In the third century B.C, after arrival of Arhath Mahinda with the
new religion it introduced a new Buddhist Central Value System to
the island. That value system provided a unique mode of thought of
the nation which in turn produced a code of conduct in the Sri
Lankan society.
Just after the first meeting of Arhath Mahinda and king
Devanampiyatissa, the first question and the answer was directly
connected to Buddhist relativism. Secondly, Arhath Mahinda
started with his Dhamma mission with Chullahasthipadopama
sutta (how to approach wisdom / noble truth) then the critical order
ends up with thirteen steps achieving noble truth in
Dhammacacapawththa sutta.
Dr H.M.D.R. Herath
Dr H.M.D.R. Herath is Professor of Sociology in University of
Peradeniya. He is Master of Arts in Sociology from University
of Delhi and did his Ph.D. from University of Peradeniya on
the topic Indigenous Classification of Flora in the North
Central Province: An Ethno-botanical Study. He has been
awarded a fellowship by UNESCO Regional Office
Bangkok, Thailand; fellowship by USAID for Health and
Social Science Workshop in Antwerp, Belgium, Special
National Award of the Sarvodaya Trust Fund for the
Advancement of Humanity, Development and Peace (Sri
Lanka), a fellowship by the UNESCO Chair Programme,
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts International
Conference on “Culture, Education and Ecology,”,
fellowship by the “UNESCO for Culture and Agriculture”,
Bangkok, Thailand, fellowship by the UNESCO Chair
Programme, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts,
International Conference on “Exploring India's Charted
Narratives”, New Delhi, India, addressed, at the 3rd IFOAM
ASIA Conference Organized by IFOAM ASIA in association
with the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore,
India. He has written a book 'Kinship' (Social and Social
Anthropological Study on Kinship Marriage and Family). He
has written numerous articles and presented research
papers in national as well as international
seminars/conferences.
Kingship and Central Value System
This is the starting point of new organized state in the island. There
was no inscriptional evidence connected to common religion
emerged before the 3rd century B.C. The only religion was
Buddhism. Up to the 3rd Century B.C Sri Lankans introduced
ruler as ”gamani” and after introduction of Buddhism, first time in
our history ruler was introduced as “ raja”. The word “ raja” that
we have taken from Deeganikaya that implies (janam ranjethithi
raja) the king who satisfy citizens that is the meaning. Then
Buddhism had given new values on how to rule the country, some
inscriptions disclose “ Dhamma Rakkha” or “Dama ratha” in Pali
“Dhamma Raja” in Sanskrit” Dharmaraja' the word is assigned to
the kingship which includes some values or quality of the country
leadership. Within a hundred years of time Buddhism became a
part of the kingship. The ruler who tried to include Buddhist values
in to organized administrative system in egalitarian society. Later
on the concept of “Dasarajadhamma” was assimilated into the
kingship in Sri Lanka. That new value system was followed by the
king of the country.
National Symbol and the Value System
Before the organized central state, Sri Lankans belonged to
different local totemic group who had been organized themselves
under different totemic emblems such as lion, goat, crow, peacock,
fork- tailed hyena etc. and different social groups Yaksas, Nagas,
Raksas, and Devas enjoyed different emblems. After introduction
of new religion, the national level symbolic structure of Lion and
its qualities and characteristics introduced by Arhath Mahinda.
The structure of Mahavihara establishment planned according to
Buddhist ethics and the most powerful symbolic meaning given to
the nation. When the king ask how to establish this sacred city
premises and the mahavihara complex , Mahinda thero replied and
gave instructions to “the lion who standing in a very strong
position its head, legs and the front portion should allocated for the
Ruwanweli dagaba side including number of temples and rear
portion including two legs and the tail should be connected to
Srimaha bodi locating area and number of other sacred places”.
Introduction
Values are emerging from assumptions, largely unconscious of
what is right and important, some set of values form the core of
every culture. Social order depends on this existence of general
shared values which are regarded as legitimate and binding and act
as a standard by means of which the ends of action are selected.
In Sri Lankan society 70% of the population is Sinhalese and
Buddhists. Other religious groups also have in one way or another
has been inspired by Buddhist values. Therefore, the main
objective of this paper is to analyze Central Value System
associated characteristics of Sri Lankan Buddhist society with
special reference to nature, agriculture, life cycle ceremonies,
national symbols, personality development, domestic life, so on
and so forth. The author do not include architecture, dance, music
and other aspects because other aspects covered by another paper.
The methodology is based on field research findings, Buddhist
chronicles, and historical documents and through library research.
After this interpretation of lion became the state emblem of the
country. All other totemic emblems disappeared one united nations
27
the nature. According to the above classification nature is not a
creation of the god, but the nature is considered as the god by the
people as well as the kings. So that , existence of every creature is
limited up to the existence of the sun and the moon. The sun and the
moon are regarded as excellent gods. In the past Sinhalese kings
did not forget to mention “until the existence of the sun and the
moon in the inscriptional grants when they transfer their properties
to others”. Since the world is created by the nature leading to sun
and the moon the wider area of the triangle is represented. These
two factors the sun and the moon, have become and exclusive
factors for the existence of all the creatures, human beings and the
earth. Hence, the people tend to worship them. Specially, in
Agricultural rituals the sun and the moon have very exclusive
position, blaming abusing or swearing to the sun and the moon is
considered as a very mean dangerous unacceptable according to
the Sinhalese Buddhist people.
national symbol became the lion. Then all sculptures in Mi hintale
and the main city, one way or another way depicted the lion symbol
very clearly. In addition to the lion symbol, later on the mythical
hybrid symbol emerged which included lion and the tuskers head
together “gajasingha” became a symbol of the North Central
Province. The concept hasthi (naga in Pali ) very predominant in
Buddhist culture and art: the hasthi upama always equivalent to the
Buddha dasabala, pragna, wisdom, and the capability of
exploration skills and un shivering behavior. The hasthi upama is
directly connected to the first introductory sutta to Sri Lankan
people by Arhath Mahinda (chullahasthipadopams sutta). Since
then all over the country all Buddhist religious places hasthi
prakara became compulsory Buddhist Value System feature and it
symbolizes the part of the central value system of the nation.
Nature and the Buddhist Value System
Agricultural Activities and the Buddhist Value
System
At the meeting when Arhath Mahinda replying to king
Devanampiyatissa “king you are not a ruler of this land, flying
birds, moving reptiles, as well as other animals and human beings
under your custody, you are not a ruler but you are the guardian of
the land” this statement says how significant the human beings are
as well as the other creatures. According to the new doctrine man is
part of the nature. Now you can see the nature associated new value
system introduced by Arhath Mahinda.
In Sri Lanka, all cultivation activation directly assimilated into
Buddhist values; even in the four poya days people do not engage
in cultivation activities because the reason is to refrain from killing
creatures such as earth worms; even uneducated rural mothers they
do not put firewood, coconut husks or any other fire items in to the
hearth without cleaning the material, because the innocent small
creature such as white ants or ants can be inside of the firewood.
Even after boiling paddy, mothers do not put hot water into the
earth because they wish to protect creatures in the soil. These
values taken from the Buddhist “panchaseela principal” human
beings should refrain from parapana neseema or the pranagatha
and protect other creatures life. Even today, chena cultivators after
slashing down the chena forest keep five to six days for the drying
purpose. The end of the period before they set fire, they pray and
three rounds go around the dried chena asking all creatures to go
away including very small insect to big animals from the chena
and saying purposely and consciously that they do not burn the
insects and the main purpose of chena cultivation is for survival of
the family members.
Nature and the Buddhist Value System
All the above mentioned,ethics taken from the Buddhist value
system existing in the rural areas. Specially, in Anuradhapura
irrigation society all cultivation fields, two potions cultivate either
side of the field for birds that they introduced as “kurulupaluwa”
birds come and enjoy with that portion. In the agricultural cycle all
activities start from the stanza “sabbapapassa akeranam kusalassa
upasmpada….” Also, the end of the harvesting activities the super
portion is reserved for the Buddha pooja, before they consume the
harvest. All cereals and grain cultivated in the Sri Lankan soil
introduced as “bava boga” those bava boga devoted to the lord
Buddha are called “Buddha boga” they perpetuate seed and protect
for the next generation.
Life Cycle Ceremonies and the Buddhist Value
System
In each and every society, birth, puberty, marriage and death are
major events of the life cycle. Sri Lankan society, traditionally all
aspects of life cycle connect to the Buddhist value system. Even
mothers in a pregnant stage elders do not allow certain actions such
as boiling eggs, cleaning cob webs, destroying pottery flies house,
etc. its indicate do not destroy others lives (pranagatha), at the
seventh month of the pregnant stage husband and relatives
organize Angullimala pariththa. This is the protective mechanism
for the baby and the mother. Mother has to be in peaceful manner
and she has to attend religious activities often that are the
In this order, either side of the top of triangle the sun and the moon
located. The next step of the hierarchy the Earth(maheekanthawamother ) located, in the next, Air-(Meegha-father), then
forest(grand mother) Rivers (daughters) Hills (sons) then animals
(eththo- relatives) of human beings, finally man is the guardian of
28
Buddhist literature became a part of their day to day life. Five
hundred and fifty jathaka stories ware embraced by kings as well as
general masses of the society. Since then monthly, people get
together at the temple they enjoyed with Buddhist monks and their
rituals. They avoided evil activities. This social morality provided
by the Buddhist value system. Even before 4th century A.D tank
building was collective effort of the villages. They build tanks
benefit for all.
expectation of the relatives. When she approach the last stage of
the confinement husband or relatives consult the Buddhist monk
and bring the sacred thread and tied up her upper part of the hand.
Three months after the child birth the child is brought to the
Buddhist religious place and keep the baby at the door step of the
shrine room. In Anuradhapura people visit to Jayasrimaha bodi and
baby is offered to the Buddha. In Kandy within three months
periods of time baby bring into Daladhamaligava (the Temple of
the tooth) and at the sacred tooth relic temple door step and baby
is offered to the Buddha and get the blessing from the Buddhist
monks.
The samanthapasadika a commentary written to vinayapitaka in
the 5th century A.D. which says community based reservoirs and its
water equally distributed among the people. The word used by
them “sabbasadarana”. In a country normally citizens as well as
rulers who ruled in the country did not build gigantic palaces. They
only built big community centers including massive irrigation
schemes without their names or signs. There were about 177 kings
had ruled the island there was no single sign board or birth places or
cremation sites discovered. There was a very significant event
disclosed in history and the value system of the country was king
Elara's cremation site established by the king Dutugamunu. Why
Buddhist kings did not build their personal properties all these
were belongs to “anicca” concept. When king Datusena's son
Kassapa who was inquiring about a hidden treasure from his father,
the father accompanied him to Kalawewa tank and shown the
Kalawewa “this is my treasure, that I have earned and given to the
nation”, these stories show that how citizens as well as kings
personalities moulded by the Buddhist value system.
At the second stage of the life cycle, specially, girls who attain
puberty family members bring the sacred thread from village
temple and tied up her upper portion of hand just after the bathing
ceremony parents bring first food potion to the temple. Then get
the blessing from the Buddhist monks. The third life cycle is
marriage ceremony. The complete functions of marriage ceremony
organize according to the Buddhist values. In Sri Lanka, Buddhist
marriage function associated stanzas, display Bodisattva`s lay life
up to marriage with princess Yasodara. Further, at poruwa
charithra which display wedding ceremony of price Siddhartha
and Yasodara, the king Suprabudda who handed over his daughter
to prince Siddhartha tying up fingers with sacred thread and
putting sacred water as a symbol of Sarana mangalla. Then girls
singing jayamangala songs which include special incidents of
Buddhist life and adding wishes to the newly wedded couple.
Finally, before come down from the wedding stage both bride and
groom handing over sacred white cloth to the bride's mother as a
symbol of sacrifice her life to the bride as breast feeding which call
“kirikadahelaya”. The total story is connected to the king okkaka's
story who lived in India that reminding the mother's role in Indian
Buddhist tradition. The last event of the life cycle is death
ceremony. Again those also, all over the country completely
organize according to the Buddhist value system. Mourning period
is seven days, before you cremate or buried the body by the closest
relatives and friends get together and offer pansakula chiwara for
Buddhist monks who visited to the function. And relatives offer
merits using water, monks say “yatha vary vahapure
paripurethusagara..” Further, give merits to death sprit to good
rebirth. Then they organize seventh day, three months, and one
year religious ceremonies for the death sprit. Above explanation
shows how life cycle ceremonies of Sri Lankan Buddhists
organized according to their central value system.
Domestic life and the Buddhist Value System
Domestic lives of the Sri Lankan Buddhists are governed by the
value system of the Buddhism. Any special events or occasions
emerges they remind “bless of triple gem” ninety nine percent of
rural children daily worship their parents, the reason is not like
other religions, in Buddhism there is no creator. Father and mother
are the house gods, they procreate children and they teach every
thing as “poorvacharyas” at the family.
Even illiterate mothers in the society know Indian Buddhist
history, Buddhist literature and they are enjoying with those
literature tradition. In any funeral house or any sorrowful occasion
they read Vessanthara Jathakaya or Thunsaranaya or
Yasodarawatha. When they accompany any pilgrim like travel to
Sripada they sing those religious songs and poems according to
their tradition.
Personality Development and Buddhist Value
System
In addition to that most of the domestic folk tails, folks stories and
poems are based on Jathaka stories and Buddhist character.
Further, how folks conscious is connected to the Buddhist value
system, all temple names in the island are Indian names such as,
Jethavanaramaya,
Veluvanaramaya, Asokaramaya,
Neegrodaramaya, etc. And all leading schools names are Ananda,
Nalanda, Dharmaraja, Dharmapala, Mahinda, Asoka, Thakshila,
Sanghamiththa, Sujatha, Mahamaya, Yasodhara, Seevali,
Swarnamali, Gothemi, Visaka, etc in addition to that Individual
names of the Sri Lankan Buddhist society call Upatissa, Ananda,
Piyatissa , Udeni, Mangala, Mahinda etc. thousands of people used
different personal names which were taken from the Buddhist
history and literature. Most of them daily follow and worship to
Buddhist statues observe panchaseela as well as Poya days they
observe Astanga seela, annually they celebrates Vesak or Buddha
poornima festival. In the vesak festival day even very poor people
donate food and other consumable commodities as Dana or Dansal
free of charge meals for others. They enjoy with this type of merit
earning activities according to the Buddhist values. Even in the day
to day to day life before they go to bed they sing, in Sinhala,
From the very beginning after Arhath Mahinda's visit to Sri Lanka,
the Buddhist mission try to develop new personalities in the new
society. New belief system introduced that based on karma and
rebirth. The Vimanawththu and Pethawaththu provided essential
details connected to the human activities in this world as well as the
other world. All Suttas and Bana preaching immensely
internalized the new ideology to the new nation in Sri Lanka.
Secondly, after the Sangamiththa theranies arrival with the sacred
Bo sapling with new Bodhi culture spread in the island very fast.
The Buddhist monks who started Dhamma propaganda movement
that they themselves used art, music, painting and other avenues to
approach indoctrinate people in the island. For this purpose
Buddhist monks used paintings in their respective temples. Those
paintings included Jathaka stories, Buddhist history, and
bodhisattva characters. Mothers who carries babies into the new
temple premises and they explained values display in paintings and
those were internalized by children in the society. As a result of that
29
citizens. Up to Europeans intervention in the 16th century, Sri
Lankans maintained those values in their culture. However, with
the changes imposed by the Europeans that affected a minority,
still the majority of Sri Lankans protect their Buddhist values in
spit of being a small nation in the world.
“Watha deranatha nohera dakva akanita bamba lowa
patan
Bootha yak sen wesena pisasun mesi manduru kuru
kuhubuwan
Saththa hithathuru medahathungen hithmithuruguna
yahaluwan
Mage guruwara demeupiya saha siyalu neyo ganu
mepin”
References
Rev.Dheerananda, H
Kingship, State and the Religion, Warakapola; Ariya Publishers.
2004
This the wish of the peaceful nation “Through out this
environment, up to the further most world, all forms of living
things the spirits, demons, gods and small creatures such as
mosquitoes and files as well as all our loved ones and enemies and
my teachers and parents and every one else are offered these
merits. ”
Deeganikaya
Colombo: Buddhist Cultural Centre, Nedimala. 2004
Gunawardana, R.A.L.H,
Robe and Plough. Arizona University Publication. 1979
Conclusion
Herath, H.M.D.R
“The cultural Dimension of Some Agricultural Rituals in Sri Lanka”
Economic Review
Colombo: Research Department, Peoples Bank,Vol.36, June, April/May
2010.
Buddhism is a philosophy rather than a religion. After introduction
of Buddhism by Arhath Mahida in the 3rd Century B.C. it carried
very special messages to the Sri Lankan people who were having
as scatted groups in the island with different totemic emblems.
These messages included ten suttas, Pethawaththu,
Wimanawaththu, and Sachcha Samuththa. The structure of
Arhath Mahinda`s Dhamma messages provided the Buddhist
Relativism to how to approach to the noble truth. This Dhamma
programme given base for integration of Sri Lankan society into
one national state with a single national symbol.
Herath,H.M.D.R
`Significance of Water in the Sri Lankan context: A Sociological
Perspective” Economic Review, Colombo: Research Department
People`s Bank, Vol,35 June/ July, 2009
Samanthapasadika
Pali Text Society, London: Vol . 1.
In addition to that, national leadership associated kingship,
Sinhalease language, religion, and a new culture with the Central
Value System provided a holistic heritage. From time to time these
values were assimilated to a code of conduct by the country`s
30
Cultural Interflow of Buddhism between India and Sri Lanka:
the gateway of Indianisation in South East Asia (Indonesia)
Y. M. Suhu Bhadra Ruci
influencing. The facts show that Sri Lanka has become some kind
of transit or gateway for much of Indianisation mission toward
South East Asia. It was justified through journey records which
directly stated Sri Lanka as prior destination before heading
toward Nusantara. And also from archaeological evidences,
Amarawati style Buddha sculptures, which were found in Sri
Lanka and Nusantara (Palembang). The South-East Asia will be
represented by Nusantara (Indonesia in the modern day) which are
not just chosen for the sake of scoping instead considering
Nusantara role as the most glorious Buddhist state, and kingdom as
well through the infamous Sriwijaya, during that time of analysis
in the South-East Asia. Further justification of this grandeur was
stated by I-tsing who discovered that in the lower Sumatran port
center of Sriwijaya was in that day an important center of Buddhist
studies little inferior to Nalanda itself 3.
Y.M. Suhu Bhadra Ruci
(Indonesia)
Y.M. Suhu Bhadra Ruci is a monk of Mahayana School (an
Indonesian of Chinese origin) and is Abbot of a Tibetan
Tantrayana Temple. He has studied in India (Karnataka) for 3
years. He is Head of Dhammaniyoga Commission of Great
Conference of Indonesia Sangha (KASI), Deputy Nayaka of
Sangha Agung Indonesia (SAGIN) in Education Division and
member of the Team of Expert of Indonesia World Heritage
Youth Network (IndoWYN). He was trainer in training of
creative Promotion of Borobudur Cultural Values and was
Guest participant in Seminar on Sriwijaya Civilization
(Jakarta, 2008), and in Cross-sectoral Workshop of
Transportation Ministry and Cultural & Tourism Ministry:
Rethinking of Borobudur (Jakarta, 2008). He has written an
article: A Glace of Swarndwipa Dharmakirti and Atisa
Dipankara Sri Jnana in Sriwijaya in 2008.
To conclude, Indianisation is indeed profound and massive. Yet, it
wasn't by itself to perform in such way. Sri Lanka somehow played
a unique role of gateway for Indianisation throughout South-East
Asia. Therefore a tribute to Indianisation can't be done without
attributing Sri Lanka.
Keyword: Buddhism, India-Sri Lanka, cultural interflow,
Indonesia, gateway or transit
Introduction
The spread of Indian civilization “to the eastern region and
archipelago was at the same time with the Chinese civilization
expansion4 ”, and is the most importance in the world history for it
has became one of major aspect that affects the lives of many. India
has been the place that gives birth to wisdom, shares its knowledge
to the neighboring countries which later spread it to the entire
world. As the place that spreads (concept of) god/goddess,
religions, doctrines, and art to almost three quarters of Asian
continent. In other words, its literatures, social arrangement, were
brought to Nusantara (ancient Indonesia archipelago) until the
known limit of the world, they also went through Madagascar,
probably until the Africa continent which route, an ancient one
though currently disappearing, is now followed by the current
Indian people going to Africa 5.
Abstract
The year of 250 BC is marked with the global spread of Buddhism
with a motivation that Buddhism can be beneficial for all sentient
beings. The mission was done in a mutual manner, a distinct
approach at that time with a profound impact comparable only to
that Helenism in Middle Sea region (Groslier, 1961). The spread of
Buddhism is nevertheless indianisation, the historical spread of
Indian civilization outside India. It was infamous not only from
their authenticity of approach, non-violence, adaptive not
destructive but also their everlasting heritage even until the present
day. As stated by Cœdès (1964), that in regions which natives
interacted intensely with the Indian culture, their heritage can't be
underestimated; the heritage is ranging widely from literature, art,
social arrangement, etc.
From the cultural aspect, even now in backside India 6 still can be
found the trace of indianisation which are sometimes profound, for
example: the importance of Sanskrit language for its vocabularies,
Indian origin letters which are still used or not anymore, agreement
regarding Hinduism traditions, including the region which
embrace Islam or Sri Lanka Buddhism, the existence of ancient
shrines which correlated in its architecture and sculpture, and
gives meaning for inscriptions in Sanskrit language.
Furthermore, our attention are to the neighboring Sri Lanka whose
Buddhism was greatly influenced (even originated from) by India,
The spreading was brought into Sri Lanka by the emissaries of
Indian Buddhist kingdom under the kingship of Great King
Ashoka. They are worth to be noted not only because they were
greatly influenced but also has been greatly influencing the
Indianisation itself specially the one that covers the South-East
Asia region.
The past geographical condition of Nusantara and Indochina
countries which affected by Indian civilization was within the area
3
Cady, 1976, p.35
Lévi, 1938, p.136
Ditto, p.30
6
Consist of ancient Indonesia archipelago excluding Philippine, Indochina, Malay
peninsula and Burma (Cœdès, 1964, p.19)
4
5
This paper will describe how Sri Lanka has been greatly
31
The Natives were absolutely not being harmed or wiped out by the
conquerors, instead they acquire from the Hindu-Buddhist
civilization which were tapped and conformed, a framework in
which people themselves could assimilated and developed. In the
other hand, Chinese always ask “the southern barbarian”, for the
sake of their sovereignty, To be acknowledged through regular tax
payment. Therefore, as the result Of this distinct approach at that
time, Indianisation produced a profound impact comparable only
to that Helenism in Middle Sea region10.
of China political influence. Most of them would be affected by
major political dynamics which happened in China and India.
Samudragupta assault in Gangga Valley dan South India in 400
C.E., political expansion of Maharajas from Cola dynasty of
Thanjavur in 1100 C.E., gave result in the eastern side of Benggala
strait
In a clearer sense, what is happening in China would affected
Indian history. People of China would never at ease to see the
establishment of powerful countries in the southern sea and it was
worth to be considered that the golden-age of Fu-nan, Cambodia,
Java and Sumatra Kingdoms were equal with the degeneration
time of major dynasties in China.
The Spread of Buddhism Civilization in Indochina and
Nusantara
The spread of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the year of 300 B.C. was
due to the main role of King Asoka's son who brought along the
relic of Buddha Gotama. He was welcomed by King Devanampiya
Tissa (250-207 B.C.) who later on built Thuparama Dagoba for
honoring Buddha's relic. Since then, Sri Lanka Buddhism took a
great role in the development of Indianisation and the the spread of
Buddhism in South-East Asia.
In addition, Indian civilized countries were bonded with each other
geographically and economically, and for each revolution in one of
the countries would bring certain results for others as well: the
disintegration of Fu-Nan kingdom, the occurrence of Sriwijaya in
Sumatera, Anawratha government in Pagan or Suryavarman II in
Angkor, Thai Kingdom establishment in Sukhothai. All of those
significant events were related with the geographical position of
Sri Lanka as the anchor of South Asia who held great importance.
For example the attack to Sriwijaya by Cola kingdom was done
through Sri Lanka harbor.
Until now, archaeological remains and Chinese sources point out
that the spread of Hindu-Buddhist civilization in Nusantara is as
old as in Malay Peninsula. In the first period of 5th century,
according to Mulawarman inscription in Kalimantan and from
Purnawarman in Java 11, which was described by Fa-Hien after
ninety days journey in the sea from Sri Lanka, and along with the
progression of diplomatic relation with China, an increase of
indianisation occurred which could be considered if not because
the spread of immigrant, at least it was due to the influence of
cultural aspects, which from the available clues were probably
originated from Eastern or Southern India. The later is considered
as the main influence 12 but the role of Sri Lanka is not less
importance too 13.
The Cultural Flow: The Distinct and Profound
To what extent did Hindu-Buddhist civilization absorbed into the
lives of Indochina and Nusantara people? Historians agree that
under the Hindu-Buddhist civilization, people would still have
their indigenous characteristic. At least that what's N.J. Krom said
about Java. While Bali, according to W.F. Stutterheim, ”Hinduism
since the start until present day would always be the culture of
elites, but would never be the culture of the masses which are
bounded with Nusantara animism and worship to ancestors 7.
A record about the increase of indianisation in Java in 423 C.E. was
describing the role of Monk from Kashmir, Gunavarman, a royal
family originated 14. He came to Java from Sri Lanka, propagated
Hinayana Buddhism and became the prime actor in converting
King Vadhaka of the Java kingdom to Buddhism and consequently
his kingdom thus making Buddhism as the religion for the whole
kingdom. in other words, he convert Java itself to Buddhism into a
Buddhist state. One time, King Vadhaka strongly aspired to
become monk thus renounce his kingship. A predictable respond of
protest from his ministers and subjects made him halt the radical
decision yet with conditions which must be followed:
Hinduism from the specific aspect of king worship as they were in
backside India are aristocratic religion by nature and never meant
for masses. This explain why it is very easy and fast for people to
accept Sri Lanka Buddhism and Islam to grow in the community,
right at the time India got shocked by the conquest of Mongol and
Islam attack. The cultural influence of India was so great to the
extent their heritages can't be underestimated; we can see the
heritages are ranging from letters, most of the vocabularies, dating
according to lunar and sun system, kosmogini myths which hardly
never change, main stories in the Mahabarata and Ramayana and
Purana scriptures, several art formula, administrative and
juridicition framework, the importance of social hierarchy which
is inherited from the caste system 8.
1.
That the venerable Gunavarman should be respected and
obeyed throughout the length and breadth of his
kingdom;
That no living creatures should be killed throughout the
kingdom and this condition should be followed by all
the subjects in his kingdom;
That the wealth kept in the royal treasury should be
distributed in charity among the sick, the poor and the
destitute.
2.
People are tend to wonder that in the regions very close with China,
and have been engaged in trade and diplomatic relations for
centuries, the China cultural influence means almost nothing,
while in the Tongkin gulf and northern Vietnam the influence was
very strong. People are so impressed with the fundamental
differences in result which occurred in far eastern countries by the
Chinasisation and Indianisation.
3.
The cause lay on the radical difference of colonialism methods
which were used by the Chinese and Indian. Chinese act by
conquest and seizure: soldiers conquer the country and their
official spread Chinese civilization. The entrance of HinduBuddhist civilization in most of the time always done in peaceful
manner and never to be followed by any destruction, like for
example Mongolian assault or America conquest by the Spanish 9.
7
Stutterheim, 1929, p.7
Cœdès, 1964, 64-5
Stated by S.K Chatterji (1936, p.87-96) and K.A Nilakanta Sastri (1946, p.18)
10
Groslier, 1961
11
It was stated by Fa-Hien in 414 C.E., he landed in an island called Ya-Wa-di after
his boat struck by storm. In his records, in the land of Ya-Wa-di no Buddhist
followers could be found and there were only Brahmin priests
12
Stutterheim, 1929
13
Dupont, 1959a, p.631; 1959b, p.164-7; Casparis, 1961,p.241
14
Lal Hazra, 2007, p.844
8
9
32
Lanka. Of course they weren't just mere transit; Indianisation had
occurred and profoundly impacted Sri Lanka civilization too, i.e.
Hinayana Buddhism is obviously has taken its root there and also
the Amarawati art style has influenced them greatly 19. Thus, makes
them as the nation with the longest continuous history of
Buddhism from any Buddhist nation.
The Javanese people of course accepted all the conditions
prescribed by the king.
The work of Monk Gunvarman was probably the first introduction
of Hinayana Buddhism in the island of Java and since then
continued to develop until the close of the 7th century 15, which end,
more proper to be called as transition to Mahayana, was marked
with the record of Kalinga kingdom. An interesting event of the
kingdom was in 674 C.E., the people of this kingdom accepted a
lady ruler 16.
The infamous spread of Indian civilization, as profound as
helenism and distinctly authentic for its non-violence and high
conformity with local ingenuity, specifically toward the SouthEast Asia can't be happening without the role of Sri Lanka as its
gateway of Indianisation.
More evidences were the Buddhist pilgrimage and emissaries
journey by sea which gotten more frequent along the time between
China and southern countries. Therefore, it is inescapable because
all of that the south-east coast of Sumatera had an authentic
importance value. It has the same distance with the Sunda and
Malaka Strait, which were two big doors built from natural
landscape of Indochina and Nusantara. Other than that, the coast
was a common transit location for ships from China which utilized
the north-east wind. The fall of Fu-Nan in 7th century, which has
been a powerful conqueror in southern seas for five centuries, gave
freedom for developments due to the ownership of river bank and
the southern seas which were importance for controlling the trade
between India and China. For these reasons, during the 8th century,
Sriwijaya kingdom rise very quickly.
References
Cady, John F. 1976. South-East Asia, Its Historical Development. New
Delhi.
Casparis, J.G. de.1961. “New Evidence on cultural relations between Java
and Ceylon in ancient times”.The Asian Age.24(3-4). pp. 241-8
Chatterji, SUniti K.1936. “Hindu Culture and Greater India”. The Cultural
Heritage of India. Calcutta, 3, pp.87-98
Cœdès, George. 2010.Asia Tenggara Masa Hindu-Buddha. KPG, Jakarta
Dupont, Pierre.“Variétés Archéologiques. III. Les Buddha dits
d'Amarāvatī en Asie du Sud-Est”, Bulletin L'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme
Orient, 49(2), pp. 631-636. 1959
Dupont, Pierre .”L'archeologie mone de Dhavaravati”.1959.Publications
de L'Ecole Francaise d'Extreme Orient.41.2 editions.Paris
Groslier, Bernard Philippe. 1961. Indochine, Carrefour des Arts. Éditions
Albin Michel, Paris
Lal Hazra, Kanai. 2007. Indonesia: Political History and Hindu and
Buddhist Cultural Influences. Decent Books, New Delhi.
Le May,Reginald.1962.The Culture of South East Asia.New Delhi
Muljana, Slamet. 2006. Sriwijaya. LKiS, Yogyakarta
Figure Buddha Sculpture (left)
& Avalokiteshvara sculpture (right) in Siguntang Hill
Nagarjuna Institute: Buddhist Himalaya Vol12 1999-2005 (Combined
Issue))
Sastri, K. A. Nilakanta.1932.“A Tamil Merchant Guild in Sumatera”.TBG,
72, pp.314-327
In many ways Buddhism has actually started making a way for the
spread of Indian culture: Buddha sculptures found in Thailand,
Vietnam, and in Sumatera throughout Java and Sulawesi marked
until the farthest limit of regions which have been affected by
indianisation from the beginning. In Siguntang Hill, a big-sized
Buddha sculpture in Amarawati style was found 17 and sculptures
found from the river had a style originated from Gupta period.
These archaeological findings were later being related with
statement from I-Tsing, from his journal which documented the
spread of Hindu-Buddhist in Nusantara, which stated that in
Sriwjaya kingdom there was only Mulasarwastiwadanikaya
tradition, a vinaya tradtion of Hinayana. In the closing statement
about religions in the southern sea countries, he said that, “the
majority of religions held in this country is Hinayana, except in the
Malay countries. In this country, Mahayana followers are only a
few.” Historical records documented a visit from a high priest in
717 C.E. from Sri Lanka, Wajrabodhi, he stopped by in Sriwijaya
along with 35 others ship destined to China 18.
Stutterheim, W.F.1929. Indian Influences in the Lands of Pacific.
Weltevreden, Kolff
Conclusion
15
Ditto, p.845-6
Ditto, p.847
Le May, 1962, p.86
18
Muljana, 2006, p.124
19
Nagarjuna Institute: Buddhist Himalaya Vol12 1999-2005 (Combined Issue))
16
17
It should be worth to take notes about Sri Lanka role in
Indianisation, in which most of the journey records of Nusantara
destination from India often talked about the transit role of Sri
33
34
Influence of Buddhism on Sri Lankan Culture
Dipankar Lama
Sambala and Bhaddasāla to Sri Lanka,3 saying unto the five theras:
"Establish ye in the delightful land of Lanka the delightful religion
of the Vanquisher."
Buddhism in Sri Lanka is primarily of the Theravada school, and
constitutes the religious faith of about 70% of the population.
According to traditional Sri Lankan chronicles (such as the
Dīpavamsa), Buddhism was introduced into Sri Lanka in the 3rd
century BC by Venerable Mahinda, the son of the Emperor Aśoka,
during the reign of Sri Lanka's King Devānāmpiya Tissa. Emperor
Aśoka decided on sending a token of the Great and Enlightened
One to the land of Sri Lanka and prepared a branch of the Sacred
Bodhi Tree under which the Lord attained enlightenment. He
planted the branch in a golden vessel and, when it had taken root,
conveyed it to the ship, depositing it in the ship. He also sent a large
number of attendants to accompany the tree. The chronicles
mention that these were selected from the brahmans, nobles and
householders and consisted of 64 families. Sanghamitta Theri and
her attendants embarked on the same ship as well as the
ambassadors and messengers who came from Lanka.
Prof. (Dr.) Dipankar Lama
Dr. Dipankar Lama is Assistant Professor & In-charge of the
Department of Buddhist Studies in Nava Nalanda
Mahavihara (Deemed University), Nalanda. He is M.A. in
Ancient Indian and Asian Studies, from Magadha University,
Bodha Gaya. He also did M.A. in Pali from Magadha
University, Bodha Gaya. He is doctorate in Buddhism. He is
the author of two books on Buddhism and his more than 15
research papers on different aspects of Buddhism were
published in different research journals of India. He has
participated in several seminars and conferences related
to Buddhism.
The Prime Minister, Arittha, who was the king's nephew and the
king's younger brother, Mattābhaya, obtained the king's
permission to enter the Order of monks, did so with five hundred
other men and all became arahants. With the ordination of Anulā
and the other women both the Bhikkhu-sāsana and the Bhikkhunisāsana were established in the Island. Separate residences for
monks and nuns were built by the king.
India is known as the birth place of Buddhism, a highly spiritual
religion founded by more than 2550 years ago by prince
Siddhartha and whole world came to know him by enlightened
name Buddha. According to latest sources, nearly 18 countries are
more or less Buddhist countries and every fourth person of the
world is Buddhist1 by faith. Buddhism crossed all geographical
boundaries, acknowledge as one of the world religion.
The Tooth Relic of the Buddha, the sacred Throat, the Forehead,
the Hair Relic and the Begging Bowl were also brought in, and the
Sacred Bodhi Tree was planted for the devotion of the laity. Except
the Tooth Relic, all other relics were enshrined in the thua in
various parts of the country. A particular type of architecture was
designed to house the sacred Tooth Relic in successive capital of
the country.4 When these acts of religious devotion were
accomplished, the king asked Mahinda Thera whether the Sāsana
had been firmly established in the Island, to which the latter replied
that it had only been planted but would take firm root when a
person born in Sri Lanka, of Sinhalese parents, studied the Vinaya
in Sri Lanka and expounded it in Sri Lanka. Arittha Thera had by
this time become noted for his piety and his learning and on an
appointed day, at a specially constructed preaching hall, in the
presence of numerous theras, the king and the chiefs, Arittha Thera
was invited to give a discourse on the Vinaya in the presence of the
Thera Mahinda. And his exposition was so correct and pleasing
that there was great rejoicing as the condition required for the firm
establishment of the Sāsana was fulfilled by him.
It is evident from the chronicles relating the early history of Sri
Lanka that before the introduction of Buddhism in the reign of
King Devānāmpiya Tissa (250-210 BCE) there was no single
religion which was widely accepted as the national religion of the
country. Nevertheless, there was a wide range of religious beliefs
and practices, different from one another, and each individual
seems to have freely observed his religion according to his belief.
It was this dissenting element that led to the holding of the third
Buddhist Council under the patronage of King Aśoka in order to
purify the Buddhist religion (Sāsana). It was at this Council held by
a thousand theras (elders) under the leadership of Moggaliputta
Tissa, at Pātaliputta, that the Pali Canon of the Theravāda, as it
exists today, was finally redacted.2 At this Council was also taken
the important decision of sending missionaries to different regions
to preach Buddhism and establish the Sāsana there. Thus the thera
Moggaliputta Tissa deputed Majjhantika Thera to KashmirGāndhāra, Mahādeva Thera to Mahisamandala, Rakkhita Thera to
Vanavāsi, Yona-Dhammarakkhita Thera to Aparāntaka,
Dhammarakkhita Thera to Mahārattha, Mahārakkhita Thera to
Yona Loka, Majjhima Thera to Himavanta, theras Sona and Uttara
to Suvannabhūmi, and Mahinda Thera with theras Itthiya, Uttiya,
Devānāmpiya Tissa ruled in Sri Lanka for forty years. It was in the
first year of his reign that Buddhism was introduced and from that
time the king worked for the progress of the new faith with great
zeal. Apart from the Mahāvihāra, the Thūpārāma and the Sacred
Bodhi Tree, he established numerous other monasteries and
several Buddhist monuments. The chronicles mention that he built
monasteries a yojana from one another. Among these monuments
the Isurumuni-vihāra and the Vessagiri-vihāra are important
centers of worship to this day.5 He is also credited with the
35
students. Such as the Mahavihara and the Abhayagiri at
Anurādhapura were great centre of learning. The Buddhist monks
taught religion as well as the arts, sciences, languages, history,
medicine, painting, sculpture, architecture etc. The Buddhist
temples are the centre of the village life. The monks are the friends,
philosopher and guide of the village people.7 We do not know about
any literary works in Sri Lanka before the introduction of
Buddhism. It earliest written records belong to about the 3rd or 2nd
Century B.C.: some short of inscriptions, carved under the
dripledges of caves occupied by Buddhist monks as their cells, to
celebrate the names of those who donated those caves to the
Samgha.8
construction of the Pathamaka-cetiya, the Jambukola-vihāra and
the Hatthālhaka-vihāra, and the refectory.
In the South of Sri Lanka many such monasteries with significant
architecture emerged simultaneously. Tissamahārāma and
Cittalapabbata are two to name. Dāmbullā in the Central Province
is the main centre of ancient Buddhist paintings and sculptures. In
the North Nāgadipa, in the East Dighavapi and in the West
Kelaniya are important cultural site.6
The Pali Canon, having previously been preserved as an oral
tradition, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka
has the longest continuous history of Buddhism of any Buddhist
nation, with the Samgha having existed in a largely unbroken
lineage since its introduction in the 3rd century BC.
It is well known fact that art and architecture also journey along
with Buddhism from India to the neighboring country. In Sri Lanka
also Buddhist monks makes their vihāras beautiful. They use to
make scenes of Buddha life, Jātake stories etc. on the Vihāra's wall.
In addition to these religious paintings and sculptures, vihāras and
stūpas have always been adorned with decorative art of diverse
form in every period of history up to the present day.9
Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in 236 BCE (cir. 250 BCE)
and became the national religion of the Sinhalese from that date. It
is, however, necessary for a proper study of the history of
Buddhism in the Island to consider the condition of the Island and
its social and political developments and the culture and character
of the people immediately preceding this period. This will enable
us to get a clear understanding of the manner in which such a farreaching revolution in the beliefs, manners, customs and character
of a people was affected by the introduction of this new religion
and the progress in literature, art and culture that has been
manifested through its influence.
Thus, Sri Lanka has an unbroken history of Buddhist Culture ever
since the empire Aśoka introduced it to the Island in the 3rd century
B.C. His son and daughter, the Thera Mahinda and Theri
Sanghamitta respectively introduced not only Buddhism but also a
whole civilization than at the zenith of its glory in the Indian sub
continent to Sri Lanka.
*****
The Buddhist temples played a very important role in the land of
Island to influence Sri Lankan culture. The then Sri Lanka king
Devānāmpiya Tissa, erected suitable monasteries for his nephew
monk and his companions with required appurtenance in
Anurādhapur and Mihintale at the initial stage. This is the
beginning of the Buddhist architecture, which form greater part of
art and culture of Sri Lanka in the years come. After Buddhism
became state religion, as the brotherhood of Samgha increased in
number many monasteries came into existence in many parts of the
country. Such temples and Vihāras are not only places of worship
and religious activities, but centre of learning and culture as well.
In every temple there is a school, where Buddhist monks teach the
References:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
36
Singh, Dr. Karna (Ed.), Religion of India
Bapat, P. V., 2500 Years of Buddhism, p. 40
Pandey, G. C., Bauddha Dharma ke Vikash ka Itihasa, p. 202
Mungekar, B. L., Buddhism and 21st Century (Souvenir), p. 209
Malalasekara, G. P., The Pali Literature of Ceylon, p. 56
Mungekar, B. L., Buddhism and 21st Century (Souvenir), p. 210
Ahir, D. C., Glimpses of Sri Lanka Buddhism, P. 34-35
Ebid, p. 35
Ebid, p. 37
Indo-Sri Lankan Literary Ties
Mahesh A. Deokar
Pali Literature
Sri Lanka received Buddhism from India through an Aśokan
mission led by his son Venerable Mahā Mahinda in the third
century BCE. It is believed that along with a group of monks
accompanying him he also brought to the island the Pali Canon
along with some commentaries. Since then began a golden era of
Indo-Sri Lankan literary ties which of course had the Buddha
Dhamma at its centre.
Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Mahesh
Deokar
In order to understand the Pali canon the Sinhalese monks
produced a number of works in the native Sinhalese language.
There are said to be twenty-eight works now lost which would
have been used by Buddhaghosa, many in Sinhalese such as:
Sīhalaṭṭhakathā Mahāvaṁsa, Mahā Paccāriya Aṭṭhakathā, Sīhala
Dhammapadaṭṭhakathā, a Sinhalese treatise on medicine, etc.
However, once the Mahāvihāra tradition took the stand that
Māgadhī i.e. Pali is the official language of the Theravāda, the
Sinhalese commentaries were forgotten by the Sri Lankans
themselves. Thus, Pali became the literary language of the
scholarly Sri Lankan Buddhists at the cost of Sinhalese. As a result,
the Sinhalese literature could hardly develop before ninth century
CE.
Prof. Ashok Mahesh Deokar is M.A. in Pali and also in
Sanskrit (Grammar) and did his doctorate (Ph.D.) in Pali
from University of Pune. He is Professor and Head of
Department of Pali, University of Pune (India). He worked as
Visiting Professor of Pali at Kanazawa University from 20062008. He has taught at American Institute of Indian Studies.
He has taught at Salisbury University, USA, under the Study
Abroad Programme. He has written dozens of articles in
various newspapers and magazines and also written many
books on Buddhism. He has attended 12 international and
13 national seminars. He was invited for talks by Kanazawa
University, Japan and Tokya University. He chaired
Workshop on Buddhist Philosophy and Modern Science,
Nalanda. Prof. Deokar was instrumental in initiating the MoU
with the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda, the Central
University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and the Goettingen
University, Germany.
What Sri Lanka received from India in terms of the Pali Canon was
returned by her in multiple in terms of a vast treasure of
commentaries, sub-commentaries and sub-sub-commentaries.
The historical as well as the literary evidence confirms the
scholarly exchange between the two countries. Indian scholars
such as Buddhaghosa and Buddhadatta visited Sri Lanka and
rendered the Sinhalese commentaries in to Pali for the benefit of
the Indians. Apart from the commentaries, Buddhaghosa also
wrote independent work called the Visuddhimaggo. Buddhadatta
is also credited with the authorship of two Abhidhamma manuals:
the Abhidhammāvatāra and the Rūpārūpavibhāga along with two
summaries of the Vinayapiṭaka i.e. the Vinayavinicchaya and the
Uttaravinicchaya. The other notable commentators were: Upasena
(5th century CE), Dhammapāla (6th century CE), and Mahānāma (6th
century CE).
It is generally believed that the early migrants from the North and
East Indian regions of Bengal, Magadha and Kaliṅga founded the
Sinhalese nation. According to some, the migrants came from the
western part of India, from the modern state of Gujarat. They
brought with them their respective languages of Indo-Aryan
origin, from which the Sinhalese language is said to have
originated. The migrants also brought with them the Brāhmī script,
from which the modern Sinhalese script developed. The early Sri
Lankan inscriptions are written in Brāhmī. Thus, the beginning of
Indo-Sri Lankan literary ties is marked by the introduction of
Indian languages and script to the island.
The Pali Aṭṭhakathās written by these great teachers were further
glossed and translated by Sri Lankan monks, which were later
translated in to Pali in the form of ṭikā (further-commentary).
Writing of ṭikās had its golden age in the reign of king
Parākramabāhu I of Polonnaruwa (1153-1186 CE). Vajirabuddhi
(11-12th century CE), Buddhanāga (12th century CE), Sāriputta
Mahāthera of Dimbulagala (12th century CE) and Ānanda
Vanaratana Tissa (12th century CE) were the prominent ṭikā writers
of this period.
The present paper is an attempt to bring out strong literary ties
between India and Sri Lanka that continued to flourish for many
centuries together. The paper will be divided into five main
sections. Section one focuses on Pali literature. The second section
deals with Sri Lankan Pali literature inspired by Sanskrit. Section
three will bring out Sri Lanka's contribution to Sanskrit literature.
Section four will discuss the Indian Influence on Sinhalese
Language and Literature. Section five will discuss the modern
scenario emerging in the 20th century. It will be followed by
concluding remarks highlighting the Indo-Sri Lankan literary
relation.
Along with commentaries and sub-commentaries, a mention
should also be made of the Abhidhamma manuals produced in Sri
Lanka. The elder Anuruddha (10th century CE) wrote three
20
Paper presented at the International Conference on Indo-Sri Lankan Cultural Interface,
Kandy, Sri Lanka, 20-21 March 2011 organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Research,
Delhi and Indian High Commission, Sri Lanka in collaboration with the ministry of Foreign
Affairs, the ministry of Buddhasāsana, Government of Sri Lanka.
37
Sanskrit texts, they composed texts on Pali rhetoric and prosody.
The Subodhālaṁkāra and the Vuttodaya of Saṅgharakkhita Thera
(13th century CE) are good testimonies of the same. The
Subodhālaṁkāra has close affinity with the Kāvyādarśa whereas
the Vuttodaya is akin to the works of Piṅgala and others.
important manuals: the Abhidhammatthasaṅgaha, the
Nāmarūpaparicheda and the Paramatthavinichaya. Another
monk of the same period named Khema composed the
Nāmarūpasamāsa, which is also known as the Khemappakaraṇa.
In the 13th century, a Sri Lankan monk Ānanda Mahāthera
composed a text called the Upāsakajinālaṅkāra, which is a manual
of Dhamma for lay-followers.
The large corpus of Pali grammatical literature produced in Sri
Lanka is a result of similar effort. The Kaccāyananyāsa or the
Mukhamattadīpanī of Vajirabuddhi or Vimalabuddhi (10th century
CE) is modeled after Durgasiṁha's Vṛtti and Ṭikā on the Kātantra
Vyākaraṇa, and Patañjali's Vyākaraṇamahābhāṣya, and the
Kāśikāvṛtti of Vāmana and Jayāditya. The Moggallānavyākaraṇa
by Moggallāna Thera of the Thūpārāma monastery in
Anurādhāpura is modeled after the Cāndravyākaraṇa. Besides
this, a number of grammatical treatises in the form of
commentaries and sub-commentaries also display great influence
of Sanskrit grammatical tradition. Notable among these are: the
Rūpasiddhi by Buddhapiya Dīpaṁkara (11th century CE), the
Kārikā by Dhammasenāpati (12th century CE), the Payogasiddhi of
Vanaratana Medhaṁkara (13th century CE), the Bālāvatāra of
Dhammakitti (14th century CE), the Padasādhana of Piyadassi, the
Padasādhanaṭīkā of Śrī Rāhūla (15 th century CE), the
Moggallānapañcikāpradīpa and the Buddhipasādanīṭīkā of Rāhūla
Vācissara (1457 CE) etc.
Besides this, Sri Lankan scholarship also produced a series of
chronicles, which stands today as an important historic literary
document encompassing the entire gamut of Indo-Sri Lankan ties
from historic and cultural point of view. These include: the
Dīpavaṁsa (4th century CE), the Mahāvaṁsa by Mahānāma (6th
century CE), and the Cūḷavaṁsa by various authors. Apart from
these, there are other chronicles such as: the Mahābodhivaṁsa by
Upatissa (11th century CE) which gives an account of the great
Bodhi tree of Anurādhāpura in Sri Lanka, the Thūpavaṁsa by
Vācissara (12th century CE) an account of the great Stūpa at
Anurādhapura, the Dāṭhāvaṁsa by Dhammakitti (13th century
CE) a story of the tooth relic, the Samantakūṭavaṇṇanā by
Vedehathera (13th century CE) a story of Adam's peak, the
Hatthavanagallavihāravaṁsa by an unknown author (13th century
CE) a story of the Buddhist king Sirisaṅghabodhi (247-249 CE) of
Anurādhapura. Out of these Pali works, the works such as the
Thūpavaṁsa, the Dāṭhāvaṁsa and the Mahābodhivaṁsa had
been translated into Sinhalese. Thus, Vaṁsa as a literary genre,
though born in India, was developed by Sri Lankan scholars.
One may add to this list composition of the Pali lexicon called the
Abhidhānappadīpikā by Cūḷamoggallāna in the 12th century, which
follows the Amarakośa of Amarasiṁha. There is a text on
medicine known as the Bhesajjamañjūsā by an unknown elder
composed in 1183 CE, which is close to the Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya of
Vāgbhaṭa.
The Sri Lankan Pali scholars also inspired their Indian
counterparts. The scholars like Dhammapāla (7th century CE) and
Mahākassapa (12th century CE) of Cola country are among those
Indian Buddhists, who kept the lamp of Theravāda Buddhism
burning in south India. Dhammapāla wrote an Abhidhamma
manual entitled the Saccasaṁkhepa. Mahākassapa composed a
commentary on the Vinayapiṭaka by the name Vimativinodanī. He
also composed the Anāgatavaṁsa, a chronicle of the future
Buddha Maitreya. An Abhidhamma manual, the Mohavicchedinī
is also ascribed to him.
Sri Lanka's Contribution to Sanskrit
Literature
This in no way means that the influence of Sanskrit language and
literature was confined to the creation of parallel literary forms in
Pali. Sri Lankan scholars, like Pali also produced works in Sanskrit
adding to its glory. King Buddhadāsa, who ascended the throne
about 398 CE, composed the first known Sanskrit work called the
Sārārthasaṁgraha on the science of medicine. Kumāradāsa (513 522 CE) produced a literary masterpiece named the Jānakīharaṇa.
An important text of śataka type (comprising hundred verses)
called the Anuruddhaśataka in praise of the Buddha was composed
by Anuruddha Sthavira about 11th century CE, who was also the
author of the Abhidhammatthasaṁgaha. Around the first half of
the 12th century CE, texts such as the Nāmāṣṭaśataka another hymn
in praise of the Buddha, the eulogies of the Buddha viz. the
Buddhagadya, and the Sakaskada were written by anonymous
authors. In the second half of the same century, two grammatical
works viz. the Bālāvabodhana and the Pātrīkaraṇaṭīkā were
composed by Mahākāśyapa Sthavira and Buddhanāga Sthavira
respectively. The Daivajñakāmadhenu, a text on astrology, was
written by Anavamadarśin Saṅgharāja in about 1235 CE. Apart
from these, there are texts such as the Narendrasahajāṣṭaka (1779
CE) and the king Georg aṣṭaka (1815-1820) of Karatoṭa Śri
Dharmārāma, the Saṁskṛtapraveśa of Śri Ratnasāra about 1914,
the Śikṣāsaṁgraha of Śri Dharmārāma about 1915, the
Vaidyottaṁsa of Rājasundara, a text on medicine about 1919. In
addition to these, there are several Sanskrit inscriptions in Sri
Lanka scattered over a long span of time. According to D
Pannāsāra “The contribution of the Sinhalese people to Sanskrit
may be considered quite considerable and consistent with their
cultural prestige.”
It is evident that, many of the early Sinhalese prose works were
intended as accessories for comprehensive Pali works. However,
there are certain Sinhalese works, which gave rise to Pali
compositions. The Sīhaḷaṭṭhakathā is believed to be the main
source of the Pali chronicle the Mahāvaṁsa. The Kathāvatthu, a
Sinhalese text, which is now lost, is said to be the source of the
Rasavāhinī, a collection of popular tales in Pali compiled by
Vedeha Thera.
Sri Lankan Pali Literature Inspired by
Sanskrit
In addition to the literature in Pali, Sri Lanka also received a
glorious treasure of Sanskrit literature from India. This includes
various genres of Sanskrit literature such as poetry, drama, poetics,
grammar, lexicon, medicine etc. The study of Sanskrit language
and the various genres of its literature formed an essential part of
Sri Lankan monastic education. This created a batch of excellent
scholars who were well-versed in Sanskrit as well as Pali. After the
10th century these scholars inspired by Sanskrit literary tradition
created in Pali parallel literary forms such as the Mahākāvyas
(Epic) and Śatakakāvyas (a text comprising 100 verses). Works
such as the Jinālaṁkāra by Buddharakkhita (12th century CE), the
Jinacarita by Medhaṁkara (13th century CE), etc. are instances of
the Kāvya type whereas the Telakaṭāhagāthā by an unknown
author and the Pajjamadhu by Buddhapiya Dīpaṁkara (13th
century CE) are examples of the śataka type. By using the model of
38
1.
The Swan's Message sent to Parākramabāhu of
Dedigama (1344-1359)
2. Peacock's Message sent to God Upulvan from Gampola,
the seat of Buwanekabahu V (1372-1408)
3. Dove's Message written by Sri Rahula Thera to the same
god during the reign of Sri Parākramabāhu of Kotte
(1412-1467)
4. Cuckoo's Message during the reign of the same king (the
longest sandesa)
5. Starling's Message also by Sri Rahula Thera addressed
to God Vibhishana of Kelaniya in 1450 (the shortest, but
considered one of the best)
6. Goose Message sent from Kotte to Vanaratana
Mahāthera at Keragala during Sri Parākramabāhu's
reign
7. Parrot's Message sent to Sri Rahula Thera
8. Oriole's Message
9. Hornbill's Message
10. Black Swan's Message
11. Lapwing's Message
12. Valle Sandesaya (Beach Journey, which takes its name
from the route and not the messenger)
Indian Influence on Sinhalese Language and
Literature
The Indian literary influence is visible not only on the Pali and
Sanskrit literature of Sri Lanka but also on the Sinhalese language
and literature. Geiger classifies the Sinhalese of the 2nd century
BCE up to the 5th century CE under the Prakrit age. During this
period, Pali seems to have exerted great influence on the Sinhalese
language. The language during the 8th – 13th century CE is called the
Medieval Sinhalese. The tenth century marks a phase of using
mixed Sinhalese. During this period, Sinhalese “was enriched and
improved by the addition of Sanskrit words.” (Pannāsāra 1958:
243) Around this period, a new script based on the Grantha script of
south India was introduced to Sri Lanka.
The influence of Sanskrit and Pali on Sinhalese of the
Anurādhapura period is quite evident. The old Sinhalese poetry
and scholarly works like Sinhalese glosses on Pali and Sanskrit
works along with the traditional texts of Sinhalese grammar
exhibit this influence quite clearly. A glossarial commentary on the
Dhammapada-aṭṭhakathā called the Dhampiya-ātuvāgatapadaya composed by Kassapa V (913-923 CE) is a telling
example of how both derivative and pure Pali forms are used along
with the Sinhalese. Some times Pali forms are even used with
Sinhalese terminations.
Following the example laid down by Sanskrit poets, Sinhalese
poets also used a lot of didactic (laying down instructions) sayings
in their compositions. The Subhāsitaya by Alagiyavanna, the
Lovedasangarava by Vidagama Thera and the Lokopakāraya are
some of the best known examples of this type. The ancient
Sinhalese grammar called the Sidatsangarā, which was composed
by Anavamadarśin in the first half of the 13th century CE in the
reign of Parākramabāhu II, shows close affinity with Sanskrit
grammatical treatises.
Scholars believe that the lyrical and poetical portions of Pali
literature might have encouraged early Sinhalese authors to
compose in Sinhalese. These early works were written on Buddhist
themes and in narrative style. The Sinhalese translations of the Pali
Suttas called Sītra-sannaya provided basis for many Sinhalese
works. The most popular among them is the Amavathura (lit. a
flood of nectar) by Gurulugomi. The other important Sinhalese
prose works of this type are: the Dharmapradīpikava “the lamp of
the good doctrine”, a commentary to the Mahābodhivaṁsa by the
same author, the Buthsaraṇa “Refuge in the Buddha” an eulogy in
praise of the Buddha by Vidyācakravarti, the Pūjāvaliya “Garland
of offerings”, a collection of Buddhist tales by Mayūrapāda
Buddhaputra, the Saddharmaratnāvaliya “Garland of the jewels
of the good doctrine” a collection of stories meant for the
edification of the Buddhist laity by a monk named Dharmasena,
the Saddharmālaṁkāraya “ornament of the good law” by
Jayabāhu Dharmakīrti.
Apart from literature, Sanskrit had influenced the sciences and arts
of the Sinhalese people such as metrical science, rhetoric, law,
logic, grammar, astrology, medicine, music and dancing. Thus, as
mentioned by D. Pannāsāra (1958: 3) “The study of the history of
the Sinhalese language, its growth, and its development is apt to
leave an indelible impression upon the student's mind that Sanskrit
has largely shaped its evolution.”
Modern Scenario
During the colonial period from 16th century onwards, Sanskrit
study received great setback in Sri Lanka. By the end of the 19th
century, however, the study of Sanskrit got a new life in form of
two prominent educational institutions of Oriental learning viz. the
Vidyodaya Piriveṇa of Colombo established by Sri Sumaṅgala
and the Vidyālaṁkāra Piriveṇa of Kelaniya by Sri Dharmārāma.
With its revival Sanskrit once again started playing an active role in
Sinhalese intellectual life.
The collections of stories written in Sinhalese or in Pali that
developed in Sri Lanka are inspired by the Jātaka tales or other
moral stories related to monks, nuns, gods and demons, which
were told by the Indian Buddhist teachers to the local people. The
popular Jātaka tales instigated Sinhalese prose and poetry.
Sasadavata, based on the Sasajātaka is the first such poem.
Kavsilumina “crest gem of poetry”, which is based on the
Kusajātaka, is written by King Parākramabāhu II of Dambadeniya
(1236-1270). The Siyabaslakara, a work on prosody is the earliest
extant poem in the Sinhalese language. It is said to have been
composed by Sena I or Sena II in the second half of the ninth
century. It closely follows the Kāvyādarśa of Daṇḍin.
Sinhalese scholars thought it fit to adopt the Sanskrit language to
fill the perceived shortcomings of the Sinhalese language,
especially in connection with technical terminology. As a result,
many Sanskrit terms have entered Sinhalese language during the
past hundred years or so. They are said to have been influenced by
the lexicons compiled by Prof. Raghu Vira who coined technical
terms for Indian scholarship based on Sanskrit, an ancient IndoEuropean speech. Although there is a common acceptance of these
loans among Sinhalese people, there is also a feeling that
“Sanskritic terms very often tend to be employed unnecessarily
even where there exist alternative Helu or pure Sinhala terms
A popular genre of Sandeśakāvya or Dūtakāvya triggered a
number of sandeśa poems in Sinhalese. The Meghadūta, a great
Sandeśakāvya by Kālidāsa, both in original Sanskrit and in its
Sinhalese translation became the source of inspiration for many
Sinhalese authors. However, with the introduction of other types of
poetry, the writing of sandeśa poems gradually disappeared. Some
of the most prominent sandeśas were:
21
39
WWW.verfuallibrary - Sri Lanka
Sankrityayana, Bhadanta Ananda Kausalyayana and Bhikshu
Jagdish Kashyap spent important years of their life studying in
these institutions. They studied Pali scriptures and taught Sanskrit
there. Mahāpaṇḍita Rahula Sankrityayana and Bhikshu Jagdish
Kashyap even received the degree of Tripiṭakācārya. After coming
back from Sri Lanka, these four did pioneering work in the field of
Buddhism by way of translations and editions of Buddhist texts,
establishments of academic institutions, independent writing on
Buddhism, teaching and propagation. It is on this solid academic
and literary foundation that the later Buddhist resurgence
movement in India was established.
which convey the meaning as much as or even better than their
Sanskritic equivalents.” (Asiff Hussein) 21 There are linguistic
puritan movements like 'Hela Havula', which advocate the purging
of all Sanskrit loans from Sinhalese. However, there are scholars
who feel that “the campaign against Sanskrit should not be taken to
a point where it could impoverish the Sinhala language.” (Asiff
Hussein) According to them, although there is a need for
employing more Helu-based terms in education and academia,
even to the extent of coining new ones, due consideration should be
given to the brevity and euphony of those Sanskrit terms marked
for supersession. Striking a balance between the two is perhaps the
best alternative.
After the mass conversion of the oppressed classes to Buddhism in
October 1956 under the visionary leadership of Dr. B. R.
Ambedkar, who himself belonged to the oppressed class, a serious
need for the Buddhist form of religious practice was felt. In order to
fulfill this need, Dr. Ambedkar sought help from Sri Lanka. He
collected Pali material, which was being used in Sri Lanka for daily
religious practice and presented it in the form of a booklet called
the Bauddha Pūjā Pāṭha to the newly converted masses. He also
promised to publish another booklet detailing life cycle rituals,
which he, however, could not fulfill during his lifetime. Later in
1968, a booklet called the Bauddha Saṁskāra Pāṭha describing
Buddhist life cycle rituals based on material collected from the
Theravāda countries like Sri Lanka was published by the Buddhist
Society of India. Thus, the ties of present day Buddhist rituals in
India are linked with Sri Lanka more than any other Buddhist
country in Asia.
Sri Lanka and the Revival of Buddhism in
India
Anāgārika Dharmapāla, a Sri Lankan Buddhist missionary,
founded the Maha Bodhi Society first in Sri Lanka in 1891 and
then in India. One of the prime objectives of the Society was to
publish Buddhist literature in English and Indian languages. In
1892, he started a journal called The Maha Bodhi and the United
Buddhist World following an International Buddhist Conference to
bring to the notice of the Buddhist world the miserable state of
affairs of the Maha Bodhi temple at Bodh Gaya. The Maha Bodhi
Society through its activities such as building vihāras, schools,
libraries, free dispensaries, and teachers' training colleges played
an important role in introducing Buddhism to the Indian society.
Iyothee Thass or Pandit C. Ayodhya Das (1845-1914) a Tamil
Siddha physician and an untouchable, who was the pioneer of the
Tamil Buddhist movement, led a delegation of prominent Dalits to
Henry Steel Olcott and sought his help in the reestablishment of
Tamil Buddhism. Olcott helped Thass to visit Sri Lanka, where in
1897 he received initiation from Bhikkhu Sumangala Nayake.
After returning to India, Thass with P. L. Narasu established the
Sakya Buddhist Society in Madras with branches in many places
including Karnataka. Thass established a weekly magazine called
Oru Paisa Tamizhan (One Paisa Tamilian) in Chennai in 1907. It
served as a newsletter linking all the new branches of the Sakya
Buddhist Society. The magazine discussed traditions and practices
of Tamil Buddhism, new developments in the Buddhist world, and
the Indian subcontinent's history from the Buddhist point of view.
Concluding Remarks
Thus, the story of Indo-Sri Lankan ties with respect to language
and literature reveals that it's a continuous relation that developed
and matured over the period of time. Sri Lanka not only preserved
but also nurtured the small sapling of Indian literature, which it
received from its neighbor. Although India being an advanced
partner had been more influential, Sri Lanka also at times inspired
literary activities in India. This relation has exhibited its strength
during its hard times and is making new and more inspiring
promises for the future. The Sri Lankan religious leaders and
academicians can play a great role in the modern resurgence of
Buddhism in India. The modern Buddhist community in India is
eager to learn more about Buddhist values and practices. Indian
academicians working in the field of Buddhist studies are also keen
to absorb traditional wisdom of its Buddhist neighbor. At the same
time, Sri Lankan Buddhism also has to learn a lot from a modern,
secular, scientific and hard-core rationalist form of Buddhism
advocated by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. This new socially engaged form
of Buddhism in India can give vital insights to Sri Lankan
Buddhism. To conclude, the linguistic and the literary history
cannot but reveal that the Indian civilization and the culture of the
Sinhalese nation are indissolubly bound together.
*****
P. L. Narasu, “a Buddhist and a writer and a missionary in the cause
of Buddhism” (E. Zelliot 1979: 395) wrote an important book The
Essence of Buddhism in 1907 with an introduction by Anāgārika
Dharmapāla. The book has a clear emphasis on the social aspect of
Buddhism. P. L. Narasu's writing inspired many untouchables to
convert into Buddhism. His thoughts proved quite influential in the
Buddhist movement of the oppressed classes.
Another Indian, Acharya Ishvardatt Medharthi (1900-1971) of
Kanpur, supported the cause of the Dalits. He was initiated into
Buddhism by Gyanketu (1906-1984) and Lokanath in 1937 in Sri
Lanka. In the same year, Lokanath published a pamphlet Buddhism
Will Make You Free, dedicated to the Depressed Classes of India
from his press in Ceylon. These initial contacts with the Sri Lankan
Buddhists were responsible to a certain extent to the resurgence of
Buddhism in India.
Besides the above-mentioned personal contacts, the Sri Lankan
academic institutions also had their role to play in this regard. The
Vidyodaya Piriveṇa and the Vidyālaṁkāra Piriveṇa have played a
great role not only in a Sri Lankan context, but also Indian. The
four main pillars of the Indian Buddhist revival movement namely,
Acharya Dharmananda Kosambi, Mahāpaṇḍita Rahula
40
Bibliography
Deokar, Mahesh. (2011). State of Buddhism in India: Past,
Present and Future” forthcoming.
Zelliot, Eleanor. (1979). “The Indian Rediscovery of Buddhism, 18551956” in Studies in Pali and Buddhism, Ed. A. K. Narain, B. R. Publishing
Corporation, Delhi, 389-406.
Godakumbura, C.E. “Ancient literature of Sri Lanka” in The
Literature of Ceylon, Lanka Library Forum.
Hussein, Asiff. Sanskritisms in Sinhala: striking a balance WWW
Virtual Library – Sri Lanka.
Malalasekera, G. P. (1958). The Pāli Literature of Ceylon,
Colombo: M. D. Gunasena & Co., Ltd. (First edition 1928)
Pannasāra, Dehigaspe. (1958). Sanskrit Literature extant among
the Sinhalese and the Influence of Sanskrit on Sinhalese.
Colombo: Wimala Dharma Hewavitarane Esqr., “Sri Nagar”,
Kollupitiya.
41
The Connection between Sri Lankan Literature and Indian Literature
based on Buddhism (Pali Literature)
H. M. Mahinda Herath
India and the tradition mentions Sinhalese Buddhist monks
visiting India, China and other countries and introducing the
literature produced in Sri Lanka. Monks from India and China also
visited Anuràdhapura during this time to obtain Buddhist books.
Buddhaghosa Thera proceeded to Sri Lanka and stayed at the
Mahàpadhànaghara of the Mahàvihàra. He then asked the monks
at Anuràdhapura for access to books for the compilation of
commentaries. The learned Theras at Anuràdhapura tested his
knowledge and ability by setting him a thesis on which he
compiled the well-known Visuddhimagga. They were so pleased
with this work that he was given facilities for his projected work
and books were placed at his disposal for the preparation of Pali
commentaries.
Dr. H.M. Mahinda Herath
Dr. Mahinda Herath is Deputy Director at the Sri Lanka
International Buddhist Academy (SIBA). He has done
BA(Hons) in Pali from University of Peradeniya and MA in
Sanskrit from Buddhist and Pali University. He has done his
PhD. in Pali from University of Peradeniya. He has been
Secretary/President of the English Association of Buddhist
Monks and has published a number of research articles,
papers and publications.
The old Sinhalese commentaries from which Buddhaghosa drew
material for the compilation of his Pali commentaries are
occasionally named in his works. The Mahà (or Muula)
Aññhakathà occupied the foremost position among them while the
Mahaa-paccari Aññhakathaa and the Kurundi Aññhakathà were
also important. These three major works probably contained
exegetical material on all the three Piñakas. Apart from these there
were other works like the Sankhepaññhakathà, Vinayaññhakathà,
Abhidhammaññhakathà and separate commentaries on the four
âgamas or Nikàyas, namely, the Dgãhanikàyaññhakathà,
Majjhimanikàyaññhakathà, Samyuttanikàyaññhakathà, and the
Anguttaranikàyaññhakathà. References to numerous other
sources like the Andhakaññhakathà, the âcariyà (or Teachers), and
the Porànà (or Ancient Masters) are also found in Buddhaghosa's
works.
On the full-moon day of the month of Jeññha in the year 236 b.e.
(i.e., 250 BCE) Mahinda and his companions, departing from
Vedisagiri, rose up in the air and alighted on the Silakåta of the
pleasant Missaka hill, presently Mihintale, eight miles east of
Anuràdhapura. The Thera alighted here for he had perceived that
he would meet the king there on that day. In Sri Lanka as in most
other countries, the evolution of literature is related to religion. In
case of Sri Lanka the literary writing evolved to record many
important events such as the arrival of Mahinda Thera, building of
the Mahàvihàra and Mahathåpa and the arrival of the Sri Mahà
Bodhi and the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Buddhaghosa compiled his Pali commentaries including all
authoritative decisions, sometimes giving his own views but
leaving out unnecessary details and repetitions as well as irrelevant
matter. The first of such commentaries was the Samantapaasàdikà
on the Vinayapiñaka. The Kankhàvitaranã on the Pàtimokkha of
the Vinayapitaka was compiled later. These books were followed
by the commentaries on the four Nikàyas, the Sumangalavilàsinã
on the Dãghanikàya, the Papañcasådanã on the Majjhimanikàya,
the Sàratthappakàsinã on the Samyuttanikàya, and the
Manorathapåranã on the Anguttaranikàya. The
Dhammapadaññhakathà on the Dhammapada, the
Jàtakaññhakathà on the Jàtaka, and the Paramatthajotikà on the
Khuddakanikàya, are also ascribed to him. On the books of the
Abhidhammapiñaka, Buddhaghosa compiled the Atthasàlinã on
the Dhammasanganã, the Sammohavinodanã on the Vibhanga,
and the Pañcappakaranaññhakathà on the other five books.
The accounts of these events were further expanded as writing
techniques developed by many Sinhala poets of the day, who chose
to write on Buddhist subjects. Some of these works were meant to
be read out at special occasions and so were written in a narrative
style. Aññhakathà are the commentaries which were brought by
Arhat Maha Mahinda with Buddhism from India in 3rd Century and
Ven. Buddhagosha translated into Pali in 5th Century in Sri Lanka.
The compilation of the Pali Aññhakathà (commentaries) by
Buddhaghosa Thera is another important event in the annals of Sri
Lanka, which marks the progress of Buddhism. As has already
been stated, the Piñakas or the teachings of the Buddha which were
being handed down orally were committed to writing in 397 B.E.
(89 BCE) and the commentaries on these, composed in Sinhalese,
were also committed to writing at this time. Since this period very
more exegetical works in Sinhalese was added from time to time to
the existing store and during the next five hundred years literary
activity progressed considerably. By about 896 B.E. (410 A.C.E.),
when King Mahànàma reigned at Anuràdhapura, the fame of
Buddhist literature in Sri Lanka was well recognized throughout
The voluminous literature which Buddhaghosa produced exists to
this day and is the basis for the explanation of many crucial points
of Buddhist philosophy without which they would have been
unintelligible. His commentaries become all the more important
since the old Sinhalese commentaries gradually went out of vogue
and were completely lost after the tenth century. Buddhaghosa's
activities gave an impetus to the learning of Pali in Sri Lanka which
resulted in the production of many other Pali commentaries and
other literary works, and also established the pre-eminence of Sri
Lanka as the home of Theravàda
42
Khuddakanikàya and Anàgatavaüsa are other examples of the
vaüsa literature which evolved over this period. There are many
books composed by Sri Lankan authors under the many themes.
Such as; Aàgatavaüsa, Elu Attanagaluvasa, Thåpavaüsa, Sinhala
Daladavaüsa, Sinhala Bodhivaüsa, Dalada Påjavaliya and
Daladasirita. There are several books included in the Pali vaüsa
literature; Dãpavaüsa, Mahavaüsa, Chåëavaüsa, Chålavaüsa,
Bodhivaüsa, Dàñhavaüsa, Anàgatavaüsa, Laëàñhadhàtuvaüsa and
Hatthavanagallavihàvaüsa.
Some time before and after the compilation of the Pali
commentaries by Buddhaghosa two important literary works of a
different type were produced in Sri Lanka. They are the Diipavaüsa
and the Mahàvaüsa, described in the foregoing pages either as the
Sri Lanka chronicles or the Pali chronicles. These two works are
the earliest extant literary records giving a continuous history of
the activities of the kings of Sri Lanka from pre-Buddhist times up
to the end of the reign of King Mahàsena. Both works are
composed in Pali metrical verses.
Sinhala Poetry Literature is based on Pàli Jàtaka. The Buddhist
teachers who came from India had a range of stories which they
recited to locals. These included jàtaka tales on the Bodhisatva's
past lives, stories which explain the moral sayings in scripts. As
literature developed, these stories came to be written down, either
in Sinhala or in a form of Pali which evolved here.
The Dãpavaüsa is the earlier of these two chronicles. It is not a
compilation of one individual author but is the outcome of several
previous works to which additions have been made from time to
time, taking its present form about the fourth century a.c. The
chronicle does not name any particular author but it has been held
by some scholars, from the abundant material it contains about
nuns, that the Diipavaüsa is a work compiled and continued by
nuns from time to time.
The first recorded translation of the Pali sutta texts goes back to
King Buddhadasa's period (340-368AD). This paved the way for
the important Sinhala texts known as Sutra-sanna; sutras which
began early in Sinhala writing presented the material for both prose
and later, verse writers. One of the most well-known prose works,
Amàvathura by Gurulugomi, is almost entirely dependent on sutra
translations.
The Diipavaüsa consists of 22 chapters. They contain accounts of
the three visits of the Buddha to Sri Lanka, the ancestry of the
Buddha, the three Buddhist councils and the different Buddhist
schools which arose after the Second Council, the activities of
King Asoka, the colonization of Sri Lanka by Vijaya, his
successors, the introduction of Buddhism in the reign of King
Devànampiyatissa and the activities of his successors, especially
Duññhagàmani, Vaññagaamani and Mahàsena. The narrative ends
with the reign of Mahàsena (276-303).
The jàtaka stories provided rich fodder (material) for the early
Sinhala poets. The earliest of these were in the blank verse style
called gi or in rhythmic prose called vrttagandhi. The story was
enhanced with descriptions of events, people etc. Sasadàvata,
based on the Sasa Jàtaka (which is about the Bodhisatva's past life
as a hare) is the first gi poem. It was written during the reign of
Queen Lilavati.Kavsilumina (crest gem of poetry), written by
King Parakramabahu II of Dambadeniya (1236-1270), is a grand
work which can rival any Sanskrit poem. It is based on the Kusa
Jàtaka, about the Bodhisatva's past life as King Kusa.
The Dãpavaüsa has obtained its material from different sources of
which the Sihala Mahàvamsaññhakathà (also called the
Sãhalaññhakathà or Porànaññhakathà or merely Aññhakathà) was
pre-eminent. Besides this there were several other sources like the
Uttaravihàra Mahaava.msa, Vinayaññhakathà and the
Dipavaüsaññhakathà. By these names were known the records
collected and preserved in the Mahàvihàra and the other
monasteries.
The Kusa Jataka was a popular subject for many Sinhala poets,
with Alagiyavanna, an early 17th century poet, also using the story.
His Kusa Jàtaka-Kàvyaya, written in a mixture of ancient classical
style and the popular style that was then developing, was more
popular with the masses and was even used later in schools. The
Kàvyasekharaya (the crown of poetry), written by Thotagamuwe
Sri Rahula Thera in 1449, is another noted work. The story was
based on the little known Sattubhasta Jàtakaya, which speaks
about the Bodhisatva's wisdom even before attaining Buddha
hood. It was written on the invitation of a princess in Kotte and so
contains an eulogy (words of praise) of her and her father, King
Parakramabahu VI (1412-1467), as was the custom of the day. The
Guttilaya written in the 15th century, Asadisa-Jàtaka-Kàvyaya by
King Rajadhirajasinha of Kandy (1780-1798) and Sandakinduru
Jàtakaya were other notable poetic works of the country. The
Vessantara Jàtakaya was also popular among local poets.
The Mahàvaüsa, which is the better work in its
comprehensiveness, arrangement of facts and high literary
standard, was compiled by a Thera named Mahànàma either in the
late fifth century or the early sixth century A.E. It also covers the
same period of history and its material is drawn from the same
sources as the Dãpavaüsa, but it contains much more additional
material presented in a better form. The Mahaavaüsa contains 37
chapters in all. They deal mainly with the same events as those of
the Dãpavaüsa, but there are much longer accounts and greater
details of the activities of several kings such as Pandukàbhaya and
Dutthagàmani and events like the establishment of Buddhism and
the rise of new schools.
These two chronicles contain many myths and legends. Yet they
are among the primary sources for the reconstruction of the early
history of Sri Lanka for they contain a great deal of historical facts,
especially in the narratives dealing with the period after the 2nd
century BCE, corroborated by epigraphical, archaeological and
other evidence.
One of the greatest Sandesa (message in Sanskrit) works is
Meghadåtha by the great Sanskrit poet Kàlidasa, which describes
the route taken by the messenger, the cloud, to deliver the message.
Such Sandesa poems were popular with Sinhala writers of the
early poetry writing era, and even old Sinhalese translations of the
Meghadåtha had existed. Sandesa poems start with the showering
of blessings and praise on the messenger, followed by a brief
indication of the message. The most prominent sandesas are
Mayura Sandesa, Selalihini Sandesa, Parevi Sandesa, Haüsa
Sandesa, Savul Sandesa, Keñakirili Sandesa, Kirala Sandesa,
Nilakobo Sandesa, Kokila Sandesa and Tisara Sandesa.
The Buddhavaüsa, Khuddakanikàya and Anàgatavaüsa influenced
Sri Lanka Pali and Sinhala vaüsa literature which evolved over this
period. Mahaviharavansa, the chronicle of the Mahavihara,
developed later into become the history of ancient kings, as
Mahàvaüsa and Chulavansa, and replaced the earlier 'History of
the Island', Dãpavaüsa. Although hasn't certain parts of it are
missing, they survive in the Dhàtuvaüsa. The Buddhavaüsa,
A large number of Sinhalese works on religious subjects too
43
belongs to this period. The Saddharmaratnàvalã, which narrates
the stories of the Pali Dhammapadatthakathaa in Sinhalese, the
Påjavalii which relates the honour and offerings received by the
Buddha, the Pansiya-panas-jàtaka based on the Pali Jàtaka
commentary, the Sinhala Bodhivaüsa on the history of the Bodhi
Tree, the Elu-Attanagaluvaüsa which is a translation of the Pali
work, the Saddharmaalankàra, based on the Pali Rasavàhinã, the
Guttilakàvyaya based on the Guttila Jàtaka, the Kàvyasekharaya,
based on the Sattubhatta Jàtaka, the Buduguõa-alankàraya, which
narrates the dispelling of the calamity in Vesaali by the Buddha,
and the Loveda-sangaràva, containing religious instructions for
the laity, are the standard works among them.
It is a very significant fact that this revival of Buddhism in the
twentieth century gathered momentum towards the middle of that
century as a result of the Sinhalese Buddhist leaders of the time
gaining control of the reins of government. Ultimately in 1948 Sri
Lanka regained its independence after a period of British rule of
133 years. The Buddhist leaders who worked indefatigably for the
cause of Buddhism were also the Sinhalese national leaders who
led the struggle for liberation from foreign rule. It was therefore to
be expected that when these leaders gained national freedom and
took over the reins of government from the British rulers, they
were mindful of their national faith and its culture and therefore
took the necessary steps to set things right so that Buddhism would
once more receive its rightful place.
Reference-
44
1.
History of Ceylon, 1959, p 91, Ceylon University, University of
Ceylon, Peradeniya, Hem Chandra Ray, K. M. De Silva - Sri
Lanka.
2.
Deraniyagala, Siran, The Prehistory of Sri Lanka; an ecological
perspective. (revised ed.), Colombo: Archaeological Survey
Department of Sri Lanka, 1992
3.
Liyanagamage, Amaradasa, The decline of Polonnaruwa and
the rise of Dambadeniya. Department of Cultural Affairs,
Government Press, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1968.
4.
De Silva, K. M.: A History of Sri Lanka. New Delhi, Penguin,
xvii, p. 782, 2005.
5.
De Silva, K.M. History of Sri Lanka (Univ. of Calif. Press, 1981)
NAGARJUNAKONDA:
THE SITE OF INTERFACE BETWEEN INDIA AND SRILANKA
[2ND- 4TH CE]
YOJANA BHAGAT
The above gatha gives the architectural structures constructed like
the Mahavihara, Chetiya, Thuparama, Thupa, Mahachetiya,
Mahabodhi, Vapi and so on. This tradition of architectural
construction was carried forward in the reign of kings like
Duttagamini, Saddhatissa, Vattagamini, Voharika tissa,
Mahanama and so on. The history carefully notes the constructions
done in Srilanka from 3rd BCE and fortunately Sri Lanka also has
few of those archaeological remains.
It is to be understood that the interaction between India and
Srilanka was not oneway. Monks from Srilanka flocked to India for
pilgrimages and study and literature sometimes mention the
numbers of monks coming to India.
Dr. Yojana Charandas
Bhagat
Dr. Yojana Charandas Bhagat is the Coordinator & Lecturer
in Department of Pali, University of Mumbai (India). She has
presented research papers at more than 15 international
and national
conferences. More than 10 Research Papers on Buddhist
Art and Architecture and Pali Language had been published.
She has written newspaper articles and conducted
workshops for propagation of Pali. She is B. Arch. (Bachelor
of Architecture) and M.A. in three different subjects namely,
Ancient Indian Culture, Philosophy, and Pali. She has done
Ph.D on the topic 'Impact of Vipassana Meditation on
Buddhist Architecture' and pursuing another doctorate
degree in Pali on the topic 'Mnemonics in Pali Literature'.
She has very good command in English, Hindi, Marathi and
Pali.
Unfortunately India donot have any literature which could tell us
about the students or monks who had come to India for study or
constructed any vihara. Except for the inscriptions at Bodhgaya
which talks about the monastery built for the sake of the monks
from Sinhala in the reign of King Samudragupta 25 no
archaeological evidence of the sites from Sinhala is found. Thus
the history is silent especially when it comes to the flow from
Srilanka to India.
In such scenario the remains in the valley of Nagarjunakonda are
very important. They are not only few of the remains of the proof of
the architectural interaction between two countries but also has
inscriptions which further adds to our knowledge of prevalent
Schools of Buddhism and their architectural preferences at that
period. For in the Nagarjunakonda valley the remains of the
Culadhammagiri vihara of the Tampannidipa of the 2nd to 4th CE
is found.
The cultural interface between India and Srilanka began in the 3rd
BCE when thera Mahinda alongwith Ittiya, Muttiya, Sambalam,
Bhaddasala, Sumana samanera and Bhanduka landed on the
Missakapabbata 22 and Sanghamittatheri alongwith the Mahabodhi
and elevan khinasava bhikkhunis landed at Jambukolha 23 .
This paper is an attempt to study the site of Nagarjunakonda and
find out more about the architectural practices of the said period in
India and Srilanka. The paper is divided into two sections, the first
section talks about Nagarjunakonda today and in 2nd -4th CE, its
architectural splendor and importance. Most of the information in
this section is the earlier work done on Nagarjunakonda by
different scholars 26 ; it has been just compiled together to give an
idea about Nagarjunakonda. The second section is about the
Sinhala vihara at Nagarjunakonda, its architectural and
inscriptional aspect along with the architecture prevalent in the
Deccan in that period. Finally few observations and questions are
put forth. It is to be noted that in this paper we are only
concentrating on the architectural aspect and are not taking into
consideration the sculptural art seen at Nagarjunakonda which is
an independent entity altogether.
The architectural splendours constructed in Srilanka within years
are very well noted in the Mahavamsa where the work of the king
Devanampityatissa is described in the gathas.
Nagarjunakonda and its importance in the history of
Buddhist architecture:
the archaeological remains of the Nagarjunakonda valley brought
into light the glorious past of the Indian history and architecture.
This valley along with the remains of Buddhist monastic units,
22
23
24
Mahavamsa XIII-20, Mahavamsa and Mahavamsatika, Nalanda Edition 1971, pg. 286
Mahavamsa IX-23, Mahavamsa and Mahavamsatika, Nalanda Edition 1971, pg 362
Mahavamsa XX-17-20, , Mahavamsa and Mahavamsatika, Nalanda Edition 1971, pg 375
25
26
45
Glimpses of Srilankan Buddhism, Ahir D C, Sri Satguru Publ.,2000- pg. 204
H Sarkar, Elizabeth Rosen Stone, K Rama.
Brahmanical temples and site of Ashvamedha had the huge bathing
ghat and very unique amphitheatre clearly indicating the close
trading relation of the valley with the outside world specially the
Greek and Roman Empires. The remains of almost 33 monastic
units at the Nagarjunakonda 27 valley also provide an important
landmark in the history of Buddhist architecture in India. It is noted
that several Schools of different ideologies existed simultaneously
in the valley preserving their own architecture but the fact is, the
valley developed its own architectural forms which are not seen
anywhere in the country in that period.
Architectural peculiarities seen at Nagarjunakonda,
•
Stupas: Wheel based stupas with ayaka platforms and ayaka
pillars along with rubble stupas.
•
Chetiyagharas: The structural apsidal planned chetiyagharas
with the image of the Buddha
•
Monastic units: Only at Nagarjunakonda valley is seen the
cluster of many different independent architectural units or
monasteries. Surprisingly these units are classified into
different Schools of Buddhism according to their architectural
elements and this feature is again unique in India, for until now
we have not been able to do such classification at any other
sites.
•
Inscriptions: The structural remains have adequate
inscriptions which not only give us the entire skeleton of the
dynasty of the Ikshavaku dynasty who ruled this valley, but
also their religious trends. They also provide us with the
information about the architectural peculiarities prevalent in
the valley at the time.
•
Donations: It is noted that all the kings or the male members of
the dynasty donated to the Brahmanical temples, while all the
female members were the great donatories of the Buddhist
Sangha.
•
Dynasty: only one dynasty is seen ruling the valley for about
100 years and that is the Ikhsvākus. The dynasty probably rose
after the fall of the Satavahanas.
group of hills, which were offshoots of the Nallamalai range. In the
northwest it was bounded by the Krishna River, thus providing it
with both natural fortification and easy access to other areas along
the Krishna River.
Discovery and Documentation 29 : On the 21st of February 1920,
an Andhra schoolteacher with the help of local villagers found the
way into the remote jungle ridden valley of Nagarjunakonda.
In March 1926 Shri Rangaswami Saraswati discovered that the site
has several brick mounds.
In July 1926 Prof. G Jouveau Dubreuil of Pondicherry conducted a
brief excavation at Nagarjunakonda.
Few months after him, Mr Hamid Kuraishi surveyed the site as the
deputy of A H Longhurst, then a superintendent of the
Archaeological Survey of India. He then worked at
Nagarjunakonda from 1927 to 1931.The summary of the finds was
published by him in the Memoirs of the Archaeological Survey of
India.
The site was then re-excavated in 1938 by T N Ramchandran.
Consequently the dam of Nagarjunasagar was to be built which
would submerge the archaeological site. Then the Archaeological
Survey of India created a special project to salvage some of the
monuments before their submersion. As a result, between 1954 and
1960 the entire valley of Nagarjunakonda was excavated under the
supervision of Dr. Subrahmaniam.
With the knowledge of the coming submersion of the valley, smallscale models of each of the architectural sites were prepared.
Several of the structures were actually removed from the valley
and transplanted on the nearby hillsides.
28
Nagarjunakonda today (lat.16 31’ N: long 79 14’E) is situated
on the right bank of the river Krishna in the Palnad taluka of Guntur
district, Andhra Pradesh-India. It is about 166.0 kms to the southeast of Hyderabad and about 147.0 kms from Guntur town.
History of Nagarjunakonda:
The historical period principally of the 3rd-4th centuries CE under
the Ikhsvāku Dynasty were the major patron at Nagarjunakonda.
One inscription mentions the name of the Satavahana king Vijaya
Satakarni (201-207 CE) which has led to the speculation that it was
Vijaya who founded the ancient city of Vijayapuri before the
coming of the Iksvākus.30
Iksvāku Dynasty 31
Cāmtāmulā I. ( A.D.225 - CA.D.240-250).
Virapūrūsadatta ( A.D.240-250 – C A.D. 265-275).
Ehuvāla Cāmtāmulā ( A.D.265-275 – C A.D. 290-300).
Rudrapurushadatta. ( A.D. 290-300 – C A.D. 315-325).
Nagarjunakonda before its submersion was a secluded valley of
about 23 square kms in area in the Palnad taluka of the Guntur
district in Andhra Pradesh. It was surrounded on three sides by
46
Buddhist Architecture of Nagarjunakonda:
More than 30 Buddhist establishments came up in the valley within
a short span of 100 years. The almost 33 Buddhist sites are actually
different monastic units belonging to the different Sects and
Schools of Buddhism as can be deduced from the inscriptions and
they are named by the scholars as Site-1, Site-2 and so on. Each site
generally consists of a stupa built on a square platform, viharas
with the courtyard in the centre and chetiyagharas, sometimes one,
but mostly two facing each other- one with the stupa inside and the
other with the image of the Buddha.
of the two chetiyagharas enshrined the Buddha icon, the other
being meant for a stūpa.
4-Unit consisting of Vihara and Chetiyaghara:
Inscriptions have provided the names of at least four Buddhist
sects inhabitating the valley and they are the Aparamahāvinaseliyas (Sites 1&9), Bahusrutiyās, (Site-5), Mahisāsaka
(Site 7-8) and the Mahāvihāra-vāsin (Site 38). There might have
been other sects or sub-sects inhabiting the valley, but their names
are not available. Scholars have classified the monastic units very
intellectually with the help of architecture and inscriptions.
Classification of the monastic units:
There is only one structure under this group, Site-5, which had no
stūpa. This site revealed a well-preserved chetiyaghara enshrining
a stūpa.
broadly speaking the Buddhist establishments of Nagarjunakonda
may be divided into following five groups 32.
5-Isolated Stūpas:
1-Unit consisting of Stūpa and Chetiyaghara :
Five examples of stūpas, Sites 15A, 16, 22, 52 and 59, possibly
Uddesika in nature, unconnected with any monastery, have come
to light at Nagarjunakonda. All save Site-15A had āyakā-platforms
in four directions.
Further analysis of the units is done according to the architectural
elements like the Stupa, Chetiyaghara and the Vihara.
Stupas at Nagarjunakonda:
The Sites under this group, Sites 6, 7-8, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 30, 32A,
32B, 54 and 86.They may be further divided into two sub-groups
of monasteries, those having a stūpa with āyakā-platforms [Site-6,
7-8, 14, 20, 21, 30, 32A, 54 and 86] and those having a stūpa
without āyakā-platforms [Site 15, 27, and 32B].
2-Unit consisting of Stūpa, Vihara and chetiyaghara with
Stūpa:
About thirty-two stūpas have been unearthed in the
Nagarjunakonda valley. They can be broadly classified into wheelbased and rubble stūpas. Good number of stūpas at
Nagarjunakonda is wheel based, with four āyakā platforms in the
four cardinal directions with five ayaka khambas [pillars] on each
platform. These features are considered to be typical of the Andhra
stūpa architecture. Almost 22 stupas are wheel-based and three
stupas are with swastika inside. Rest all the stupas are rubble base.
Ideologically, they belonged to three important Buddhist SchoolsTheravada 33 , Aparaseliyas (Mahāsanghikās) and Bahusrutiyā.
Theravāda Stūpas 34:
This group is represented by only eight establishments, Sites-1
(later phase), 5, 23, 26, 28, 43(later phase) and 108. The Sites-5 and
26 had each two chetiyagharas.
About nine Buddhist monastic units may be attributed to the
Theravādins in the Nagarjunakonda valley. Out of the nine, three
units are supported by inscriptional evidences and the rest six may
be identified as belonging to the Theravādins, on the basis of their
architectural features. They are Sihalavihāra- Site 43, Mahāvasin
or Mahāvihāravāsins- Site 38, Mahisāsaka –Site 7&8, Site 15, Site
20, Site 23, Site 27, Site 32, Site 32B and Site 24.
3-Unit consisting of Stūpa, Vihara and Chetiyaghara with
Buddha-image: There are eight monasteries under this group,
Sites-2, 3, 4, 9, 38(later phase), 85, 105 and 106. Of them Site 85
had a double shrine for the image, whereas in other cases only one
47
Chetiyagharas at Nagarjunakonda:
In the Nagarjunakonda valley more than twenty chetiyagharas
have been brought to light. They are mostly apsidal with two or
three exception which is circular in plan. Chetiyagharas at
Nagarjunakonda can also be analyzed as per the existence of
chetiyagharas in the monastic units, as done by H Sarkar like
The Stūpas of Bahusrutiyās:
•
•
•
•
The Bahusrutiyās are the second most popular sect in the valley
and three establishments of Nagarjunakonda belong to the
Bahusrutiyās. They are Site 5, the largest in Nagarjunakonda, Site
32 A and Site 26.
Unit with no chetiyaghara
Unit with chetiyaghara with stūpa inside
Unit with both, chetiyaghara with stūpa and chetiyaghara
with image inside.
Unit with chetiyaghara with image inside.
Unit with no chetiyaghara:
Apārāmahāvinaseliyas Stūpas:
usually the monastic unit at Nagarjunakonda consists of a stūpa,
chetiyaghara and vihāra. But there are sites where no chetiyaghara
is seen and sometimes in the early phase of the Site, absence of the
chetiyaghara is marked. Such Sites are: Site-6, Site-7 & 8, Site-14,
Site-15, Site-20, Site-21, Site-27, Site-30, Site-32A, Site-32B,
Site-54, Site-86 and early phase of Site-1, Site-38 and Site-43.
As indicated by the inscriptional evidences the Aparasailas are the
most significant of the Buddhist sects of Nagarjunakonda valley.
There are about five establishments, which can be definitely being
attributed to them. They are Site 1, the Mahāchaitya, Site 2, Site 3,
Site 4 and Site 9.
Unit with chetiyaghara with stūpa inside:
Stūpas with Swāstikā Inset at Nagarjunakonda:
There are three stūpas at Nagarjunakonda valley with swastikā
inset. Swastikās are arranged in these stūpas with bricks, below the
foundations, more or less on the
ground level. These swastikās being
in the centre of the base are not visible
from outside. Since such
arrangements cannot have any
architectural significance, it was
definitely done on ideological
considerations. The sites with
Swastikā inset stūpas are Site 20,
Site 59 and Site 108. Interestingly all
the above sites are arranged side by
side in a row.
Of all the monasteries in the valley the sites, which had only the
apsidal chetiyagharas with stūpa inside, are: Site-1[late phase],
Site-5, Site 23, Site 24, Site 26, Site 28, Site 32, Site 43, Site 51 and
Site 108. Site-5 and Site-26 both had two chetiyagharas with stūpa
inside and belong to the Bahusrutiyā sect. They are connected with
another peculiar architectural feature in the form of a structure,
which are externally circular and internally square. Site-32A also
has this feature and is also attributed to the sect of Bahusrutiyā.
Votive stūpas at Nagarjunakonda:
Several votive stūpas are unearthed
at the valley of Nagarjunakonda. All
the votive stūpas at Nagarjunakonda
are made of solid core and without
āyakā- platforms, with the exception
of votive stūpa at Site-2. The sites
having votive stūpas are Site 2, Site
6, Site 9, Site 15, Site 23, Site 38,
Site 106, Site 108.
Site-1 belonged to the Apārāmahāvinaseliyas. Site-43 (late phase),
Site-32 and Site-23, with the apsidal chetiyaghara inside vihāra
complex belonged to the Theravādins. Site-24 had one apsidal
chetiyaghara for stūpa and two circular chetiyaghara for images,
though no images are found at the valley. Site-51 is the only site
with chetiyaghara with stūpa and vihāra with no stūpa, though the
chetiyaghara is well preserved. Site-108 also has a very
dominating chetiyaghara, but it also has the vihāra and stūpa in the
unit.
48
Unit with both, chetiyaghara with stūpa and chetiyaghara with
image inside:
Chetiyaghara: the apsidal planned chetiyaghara is the first of its
kind built in the valley has stupa inside. No second chetiyaghara
with the image is seen at the site.
there are four sites under this group and all four sites belong to the
Apārāmahāvinaselyas. This sect is the one who first yielded to the
new ideology of image worship. So far as the epigraphical
evidences goes, the earliest monastery having a chetiyaghara with
Buddha image is dated in the eighth regnal year of Ehuvāla
Chamtamula and it was an Apārāmahāvinaseliya monastery, Site9. Site-2, Site-3, Site-4 and Site-9 are compact and well planned
units, the chetiyaghara with Buddha image invariably facing the
chetiyaghara with the stūpa inside.
Stupa: Stupa is the structural type rubble cored stupa with rims of
bricks surrounding it. Absence of ayaka platforms with ayaka
pillars and the wheel base plan indicates either its ideology or its
ancientness due to the technology.
Vihara: the vihara is the four-winged vihara with the courtyard in
the centre. No stone pillars are seen in the courtyard.
Inscription: An inscription dated in the fourth regnal year of the
King Virapurushadatta, the second king of the dynasty, records the
donation of chetiyaghara at the site by a female lay worshipper
named Bodhisiri. Bodhisiri doesn’t seem to have been connected
with the Iksvakus royal family. The chetiyaghara was dedicated
“for the welfare and happiness of the assembly of monks and for
that of the whole world”.
Unit with chetiyaghara with image:
there are only four sites having chetiyagharas for
the images of Buddha and most of them are later
additions. The sites are Site-8, Site-5,Site- 105
and Site-106. Out of the four the Site- 85 and Site
105 had a double shrine for images, one apsidal
and other oblong. This site was renovated in the
reign of Ehuvāla Chamtamula. Site-38, Site-105
and Site-106 were later accretions. Site-38 has
an apsidal plan for the chetiyaghara and is within
the vihāra complex.
Architectural details: today at the reconstructed site only the
apsidal planned chetiyaghara is done by the Department of
Archaeology and not the entire complex with vihara and stupa.
Vihāras at Nagarjunakonda:
It is from the extensive Buddhist site in the Nagarjunakonda valley,
we get glimpse of the vihāra architecture as developed by the
different schools or sects of Buddhists of Andhra. In the words of
Ramachandran “each monastic establishment was complete in it
and contained as the unit a vihāra for the monks to dwell, an apsidal
chaitya or two for a prayer and a stūpa for worship and
circumambulation. On the plan the vihāra is a rectangular
courtyard enclosed by a brick wall. In the centre was a stone paved
hall with a roof supported by stone pillars. All around the enclosure
abutting the outer walls was arrow of cells for the monks often with
a verandah in front. Some of the cells were used as store rooms, a
few as shrines and there was usually a large room which served as
refectory…”
Chetiyaghara: The 32’2” long chetiyaghara is 10’4” wide with the
brick wall enclosing it of 2’3” thick. The stupa inside the apse is
6’9” in diameter, with the circumambulatory path of average 1’9”
around the stupa. The stupa is veneered with cuddapah stone and
stands to the total height of 7’3”, with the medhi of 3’11” and the
anda of 3’4”. No harmika or groove for the yasti is seen on the top
of the anda. The stupa is 22’7” from the entrance door, which is
4’3” wide and no moonstone step is seen at the entrance .
The above information gives us an idea of what Nagarjunakonda
architecture is all about. With this information let us come to the
second section of the paper and that is the Sinhala vihara at the
Nagarjunakonda valley.
Study of the Site-43:
The Site 43 is studied with the help of architecture, architectural
features and Inscriptions. The Stupa, the Chetiyaghara and the
Vihara architecture of the site is compared with other units at
Nagarjunakonda and also with the rock-cut architecture of
Sinhala Monastic unit at Nagarjunakonda, Site-43:
Site 43 is the Sihalavihara on Chula-Dhammagiri. It is a big
complex with a Stupa, Vihara and a Chetiyaghara. The
Chetiyaghara has a long donatory inscription 35 which gives us the
details regarding the monastery.
35
36
49
Epigraphia Indica XX 1929-30 pg22-23
The dimensions are taken by the author directly on the reconstructed site at
Nagarjunakonda.
Maharashtra of the same period. The information from the
inscriptions is analyzed and certain observations are put forth.
They are
asks for the merits for all her relatives but she has mentioned many
things other than the names of the relatives. The highlights from
the inscriptions are
Stupa architecture: Site-43 has the masonary stupa or the rubble
based stupa, which is believed to be earlier architecturally than the
wheel based stupa. The absence of the ayaka pillar with platforms
could also be the indication of its being old. The wheel based stupa
with ayaka platform and pillar at the Site-1, the Mahastupa is said
to be earliest stupa in the valley according to the inscriptions.
Therefore Scholars think that there is a possibility that the Sinhala
vihara with the rubble base stupa could be the earliest
establishment in the valley.
The inscription of Upasika Bodhisiri inside the Chetiyaghara of
Site-43 the Sinhalavihara[ some portion]
The first part of the inscription describes the qualities of the
Buddha homage is paid to him. [Sidham namo bhagavato Ikhakuraja-pavara-risi-sata-pabhava-vamsa-sambhavasa devamanusa-sava-sata-hita-sukha-maga-desikasa……..]
Secondly the ruling king along with the year is given [ramňo
M[ātha]riputasa……10[+*]4 hemamta-pakham chhatham 6
divasam teram 10[+*]3…….]
Apsidal Chetiyaghara with stupa inside: Site 43 has the earliest
apsidal planned chetiyaghara built by an upasika Bodhisiri for the
[tambapanni dipa pasadakanam theriyanam tambapanakam
suparigahe] monks of Sinhala.
Thirdly comes the donatory note – it is said that the donation is
given for the monks of Tambapana who have converted the
Kasmir, Gandhara and so on... Ta[rā]-jāchariyānam KasmiraGamdhara- China- Chilāta- Tosali- Avaramta-Vamga- VanavāsiYava[na-] Da [mila-pa]lura Tambapamni- dīpa-pas[ā]dakānam
theriyanam Tambapa[m]nakānam suparigahe]
The architectural importance of the apsidal planned vaulted roofed
chetiyaghara has been proved by the author in the Doctoral Thesis
37
-that the existence of such architectural feature is for the practice
of Vipassana meditation. This apsidal plan is seen developing in
the rock-cut architecture of Maharashtra in the early 2nd century
BCE and it is almost lost in the Deccan in the 2nd century CE when
surprisingly it is seen being adopted in the structural architecture of
Nagarjunakonda. And most surprising is that for the first time this
feature is adopted by the Sinhala monastery from Sri Lanka and
then the Aparaseliya monastery Site-1 is seen to be making the
Chetiyaghara immediately after 7 years.
The location of the Sinhala vihara also known as the
Culadhammagiri vihara is given in the next line. It says that the
monastery is on the Sriparvarta on the east of Vijaypuri along with
the things donated. [ Siripavate Vijayapuriya-puva-disā-bhāge
vihāre Chule-Dhammagirīyam chetiya-gharam sapatasamtharam sachetīyam sava-niyutam karitam]
The name of the donor along with her 31 relatives are given along
with their relations to each other [uvasikaya Bodhisiriya apano
bhatuno….]
Vihara architecture: the architectural plan of the vihara is similar to
the earlier phase in the Deccan and not seen undergone changes.
While at the same time in the Deccan a new feature of
Chetiyaghara+vihara is seen emerged.
Then the most important part of the inscription is- the names of the
other places around the site in the valley itself to which the donor
also has donated is listed down. In that the donor talks about
architectural elements donated. This information furnish us with
the knowledge of the other sites existent at that period along with
their names and sometimes even Schools as well as their
constructional details. They are
Architecturally we can say that the Site-43 belonged to that School
of architecture which followed the teachings of the Buddha in the
traditional way. They are not keen on adopting the technological
advancement of the time like the material saving design of the
stupa like the wheel based one.
What is surprising in this is that this Site-43 suddenly emerges as
the trend setter and adopts the chetiyaghara with the stupa inside,
which is a kind of revival of the apsidal planned chetiyaghara with
the stupa inside. For it has been almost lost in the Deccan in that
period and the rectangle chetiyaghara has taken over the
architecture.
Kulaha-vihāre chetiya-gharam
[Chetiyaghara in the Kulaha vihara]
Sīhala-vihāre bodhi-ukha-pāsādo
[Bodhi rukkha pasado in the Sinhala vihara]
Mahā-Dhammagirīyam ovarako 1
[One cell in the Maha-Dhammagiri]
mahavi[hā*]re mamdava-khambho
[Pillar of the mandava (open hall) in the Mahavihara]
Study of the inscription at the Sinhala Vihara:
Devagiriyam padhāna-sālā
[Main Hall in the Devagiri]
Puvasele talākam a[lam]dā-ma[m*]davo cha [a tank, verandah
and mandava (open hall) in Purvasela]
Kamtakasele mahachetiyasa puva-dāre sela-mamdavo [The stone
mandava (open hall) at the eastern gatein the Mahachetiya in the
Kantakasela]
Hirumuthuve ovarakā timni [three cells at Hirumu Thupa,]
Papilāyam ovarakā sata 7 [Seven cells at Papila]
In this Sinhala vihara there is found one large inscription which not
only describes the 31 relatives of the donor upasika Bodhisiri who
35
36
Puphagirīya[m] sela-mamdavo [, a stone mandava (open hall) at
Puphagiri]
Epigraphia Indica XX 1929-30 pg22-23
The dimensions are taken by the author directly on the reconstructed site at
Nagarjunakonda.
50
names of the Schools like the
Aparaveniseliyas, Bahusrutiya,
Mahisasaka are also seen along
with Mahaviharavasin which
could be a School from Srilanka as
believed by the Scholars. Mention
has to be done of H Sarkar who has
not only solved many riddles at
Nagarjunakonda but has used the
architectural features to solve the problems of the different Schools
of Buddhism.
Dham….vihāre sela-ma[m]davo [a stone mandava (open hall) at
the …. Vihāra.]
Upasika Bodhisiri after naming all the donations says that it is all
given for the benefit of the world.[ sā]dhu-vagasa achamta-hitasukhaya thavitam sava[sa] cha lokasa]
Finally the mentions of the three monk superintendents of work
[navakammakehi] namely the Chandamukha thera, the
Dhammanandi thera and the Naga thera. And the stone mason
[sela vadhika] vidhika is also given. [imam navakammam timhi
navaka[m]mikehi kāritam chamdamukha-therena cha
Dhammanamdi-therena cha Nāga-therena cha sela-vadhakisa
Vidhikasa kammam ti]
•
Regarding the existence of other monastic unit from Sri
Lanka in the valley: the study of the architecture of the valley
points out towards Site-38 as another unit similar to Site-43. The
existence of the Foot print slab inscription and its content indicates
its affinity to the Sinhala vihara in many ways.
Observations:
after studying the inscription we get some information
Text of the Footprint inscription
Siddham [*] achariyanam theriyam vibhaja-vadanam kasmiragandhara- yavana-vanavasa-tambapannidipa-pasadakanam
Mahaviharavasinam
navanga-sathu-sasana-atha-vyanjanavinicchaya-visaradanam ariyavamsa paveni-dharanam
Vihare bhagavato pada-samghada nipatithapito sava-satanam
hita-sukh athanayati
Translation
•
•
•
Let there be success! The pair of feet of the lord Buddha has been
installed, with the prayer for the welfare and happiness of all
beings, in the monastery of the teachers who are theriya that is
theravadins and vibhajjavadins, who caused delight to [converted
to the Buddhist doctrine of kasmira, gandhara, yavana, vanavasa
and tampaparni dipa who are the residents of the Great monastery,
who are the experts in the determination of the meaning and
implication of the nine fold teaching and implication of the ninefold teaching of the Buddha who know the tradition of the four
classes of the Buddhist recluse by heart.
Regarding the names of the places in the inscription: it has
been observed that some of the names of the places given are
the places where the monks are sent by thera
Mogalliputtatissa after the third Buddhist councils for the
propagation of the dhamma. Some names are new and are still
not identified. How these places were converted by the
acariyas from the Tambapanna is not understood.
Regarding the Bodhi rukkha pasado: no architectural remains
have been excavated from the site which can be said to be the
bodhi rukkha pasado as seen at the sites of Sanchi, Barhut and
Study of the Footprint inscription:
This inscription seems to be talking about the monks who are the
Vibhajjavadins, who had caused delight to the places mentioned in
the inscriptions. They are the monks who are the residents of
Mahavihara, who are expert in the teachings of the Buddha like the
navangasatthusasana and so on. They have donated the footprint
slab of theBuddha in the monastery [whose name they donot
mention] for the benefit of others.
so on. But this architectural feature seems to be an integral
part of the vihara complex of the Sinhala.
[Plans of the Bodhi rukkha pasado]
Regarding different Schools of Buddhism: The mention of
the two Seliya Schools the Pubbaseliya and the
Kantakaseliya are clearly seen in this inscription. The names
of the viharas are given but we are unable to find out whether
they are just the names or the names indicate the different
schools. There is mention of many viharas with the suffix
‘giri’ which possibly could be related to each other like the
Mahadhammagiri, Puphagiri, Devagiri and so on.
Salient features of the inscription: when the inscription is studied
independently then we come across new information like the
Footprint slab: this feature is new in the architecture of India as is
the Bodhi-rukkha pasado. Both these features were seen in the
earliest symbolic architecture where the image of the Buddha was
not used directly for the worship. But these features are not seen
inside the chetiyaghara or inside the vihara. They were seen always
on the huge structural stupas like the stupa of Sanchi or Barhut and
If the other inscriptions of Nagarjunakonda are considered then the
51
Indian monks sent by the Mogalliputtatissa thera. This brings the
writers closer and we can say that they could be from the Sinhala
country.
not as an independent object of worship.
Mahavihara: here we are not sure what Mahavihara the inscription
is talking about. There are two possibilities, that the Mahavihara
could be the one from Sri Lanka or it could be the Mahavihara of
Nagarjunakonda. The other inscription mentions another
Mahavihara at Nagarjunakonda. [Today the archaeological
department calls the Site-1 the Mahastupa for it had the relics of the
Buddha while there is a mention of Mahacetiya of the
Kantakaseliya in the other inscription which is supposedly at the
Nagarjunakonda itself.]
Regarding the [pada-samghada] footprint slab and Boddhi-rukkha
pasado: both these features were long lost in India and when we
come across these features in the late 2nd-4th CE in the valley and
that too only at two places then the possibilities is that they belong
to non-Indian School and the possibility is that they could be
Sinhala.
Theras: in this inscription the monks talks about themselves and
describe themselves as the Vibbhajjavadins, which reminds us of
the term with reference to the third Buddhist council where the
monks who were Vibhajjavadins as the Buddha, were kept in the
Sangha and the others were thrown out. The monks who refer
themselves as the Vibbhajjavadins probably belonged to that
original Sangha which was retained or probably belonged to that
School of thought who took the teachings to the different parts of
the country as mentioned in the Mahavamsa. There is a possibility
that they belong to Sinhala country. They also refer to their
qualities as the experts in navangasatthusasana, who could explain
the terms with meanings, analysis and so on
A comparative study of architecture: the rock-cut architecture
of Maharashtra and the architecture of Nagarjunakonda:
The period 2nd -4th CE is a low phase of excavation in the rock-cut
architecture of Maharashtra, the reason could be the political
unrest after the almost five centuries of Satavahana rule. On the
other hand the period of 2nd -4th CE is the peak period of structural
architecture in the valley under the patronage of the Ishvakus.
Architecturally, in the rock-cut excavations, the chetiyaghara had
undergone change and the rectangular chetiyaghras had come up
and the apsidal chetiyaghara was almost lost. The concept of
Chetiyaghara+vihara has taken root and this was a very big
architectural change in the vihara architecture. At the valley we see
the revival of the structural apsidal planned chetiyaghara with the
stupa inside and also with the image of the Buddha inside. The
image of the Buddha was being introduced all over the country and
new architecture was developing for it.
Name of the countries: the inscription is talking about the places
which are mentioned in the third Buddhist council where the
different thera-s are sent to different places by thera
Mogalliputtatissa like the Majjhantika thera to Kasmir Gandhara,
Mahinda thera to Tambapanidipa and so on. These names of the
places are also seen in the inscription-1 but in this inscription-2
only four places are mentioned while in the other many names are
given.
In installing image of the Buddha the valley was ahead of the rockcut architecture because we donot find any images of the Buddha
in the chetiyaghara in the 2nd- 3rd CE. Infact the rock-cut
architecture donot have the feature of chetiyaghara with image of
Buddha inside. This feature is a specialty of Nagarjunakonda,
while in the 5th century CE we have at Ajanta and Ellora a kind of
revival of apsidal planned vaulted roofed chetiyaghara with the
stupa inside with the image of the Buddha carved on the stupa
itself.
Architecture and Schools of Buddhism: There existed apsidal
planned vaulted roofed chetiyagharas in the western India or the
Deccan since the 2nd BCE. Infact the largest chetiyaghara in the
Jambudipa is excavated for the Mahasanghikas at Karle in the 1st
century CE. Still when we see the introduction of the structural
stupa in the valley which was initially probably founded by the
Satavahana only not until the 3rd CE and that too in the Sinhala
vihara is little surprising. We also see the offshoots of the
Mahasanghikas like the Aparamahavinaseliyas dominating the
valley, but they adopted the apsidal plan 7 years after the Sinhala
vihara. There is also mention of Pubbaseliya and Kantakaseliya,
probable names of the Schools of Buddhism in the inscriptions, but
no architectural details are found.
Footprint inscriptions in comparison to the Sinhala vihara
inscriptions:
The inscription from Site 43 and the inscription from Site 38 are
compared with the understanding that they have similarities in
them regarding the contents and mode of writing. There is a great
possibility that both these inscriptions could belong to the same
School of Sinhala. The similarities in the inscriptions can be stated
as
Therefore this phase in Nagarjunakonda is very important and
surprisingly very informative about the questions we have in mind.
This is a period of about 100-150 years secluded in the valley of
Krishna so far away from the immediate world yet so near to the
trading community. In all this uniqueness we are concentrating on
the Sinhala Sangha who had established in the valley and had left
its footprints in the form of the Culadhammagiri vihara- Site 43
and Site 38.
Name of Places: both the inscriptions talk about the similar places,
whereas in the inscription 1 the number of places is more and half
of them are not identified, while in the inscription 2 there is a
mention of only four places which are the same as seen in the
Mahavamsa with reference to the Third Buddhist council. The
similarity about the inscriptions regarding the places is that- in
both the inscriptions the monks take the names of the places as they
[Sinhala monks] have converted or made these places Buddhist.
This is different than the historical fact seen in the Mahavamsa,
where the places are made Buddhist or converted into, by the
•
•
52
It has the solid rubble stupa which is architecturally prior to
the wheel based stupa.
It has the one of the earliest apsidal planned chetiyaghara with
•
•
•
•
Nagarjunakonda is the apsidal planned chetiyaghara, stupa and
traditional four-winged vihara. This is the architecture seen in the
Deccan in the early phase. The apsidal planned chetiyaghara
represents the practice of the vipassana meditation and its
influence. Therefore we can say that the architecture of
Nagarjunakonda is representating the early Buddhism and not
tending towards Mahayana.
the stupa inside, which is afterwards adopted by most of the
units in the valley.
It does not have the chetiyaghara with the image of Buddha.
It has the Bodhi tree pasado which is not seen or mentioned in
any other monastic units in the valley.
It has the inscription which states that the chetiyaghara is the
donation from an upasika Bodhisiri. Surprisingly it is not the
donation of the royal female member of the Ishavaku dynasty,
since almost all other donatory inscriptions to the Buddhist
Sangha are from the royal Ishavaku female members.
Site-43 shares the architectural characteristics with Site-38.
The similarity is again established with the help of inscription
and the existence of the Bodhi rukkha pasado and the
Buddhapada in the units.
Presence of image of Buddha in the chetiyaghara cannot make the
architecture Mahayana, as it has been observed that the
Theravadins or the traditionalists also adopted the image of the
Buddha.
The architecture in the 2nd CE in the Deccan has undergone
considerable changes. The Chetiyaghara has changed from apsidal
to rectangular with flat roof, the vihara is changed and a new
concept with Chetiyaghara+vihara has been adopted. These are the
changes which indicate the trend towards Mahayana which is
absent in the Nagarjunakonda.
Taking into consideration all the above observations regarding the
study of the Site-43 and Site-38, these are some of the questions
arisen
•
•
•
Thus we can say that there is a possibility of the Sinhala vihara to
be the first in the valley with the traditional construction
techniques. The other schools adopted the architectural technology
of the wheel based stupa or swastika based stupa. Sinhala vihara
being a traditionalist understood the importance of the meditation
and vipassana and adopted the chetiyaghara and sort of revived the
Buddhist architecture at that time. This revival helped the
Theravadas and the other schools went ahead and adopted the
Buddha image instead of the Boddhirukkha or the Buddhapada but
all they were traditionalist never the less.
Is Sinhala vihara one of the earliest monastic units in the
valley?
Is Sinhala vihara the only monastic unit from Srilanka in the
valley?
If Sinhala vihara is the unit which took the initiative to adopt
the apsidal planned chetiyaghara in the valley, then why there
is no apsidal planned chetiyagharas seen in the architecture of
Srilanka of that period?
Thus in conclusion observation, we can say that Nagarjunakonda
is the only one site known to us, where the interface between India
and Sri Lanka is seen taken place in the 2nd-4th CE.
Thus we can say that the Nagarjunakonda played a significant role
in the revival of Theravada Buddhism in India and the key role was
played by the Sinhala vihara of Tambapanna.
Though the valley was secluded and had its own peculiarities it
was in a way –way ahead of the other architectural features of India
and in a way far behind of the general trend.
Here the Sinhala vihara continued with their features of
boddhirukkha pasado and Buddhapada samghada and also
adopted the first ever apsidal chetiyaghara with the stupa inside
which is not the traditional architectural feature of Sri Lanka. But
unfortunately we do not see the Sri Lankans continuing the apsidal
planned chetiyaghara with the stupa inside, in Srilanka in the
future.
Bhavatu sabba mangalam
Scholars termed the Sinhala Sangha as Theravadins and
traditionalists on the basis of the absence of chetiyaghara for the
Buddha image. They are probably the Mahaviharavasin of
Srilanka settled at Nagarjunakonda.
Reconstructed Chetiyaghara donated by Upasika Bodhisiri- Site 43
The Sinhala monks who are the delighters of the different places
came and settled down in the valley and started a monastic unit
which is copied and multiplied. They were traditionalists and still
worshiped the Buddha in the stupa form, in the Bodhi tree form or
in the Buddhapada form. They were yet not in the mindset to adopt
the image of the Buddha for worship, but probably they did it in the
end.
As the scholars are of the opinion that here at Nagarjunakonda we
see the transition from the Theravada to the Mahayana phase
which according to our observation is not completely correct. The
valley was totally traditionalist and followed the Theravada
tradition even the offshoots of the Mahasanghikas- the
Aparamahavina-seliya alongwith the image of the Buddha.
Reconstructed Chetiyaghara donated by Queen Chamtasiri-Site-1
The reason to say this is -the architecture in the valley of
53
Stupa inside the chetiyaghara-Site 43
Buddha image inside the apsidal chetiyaghara- Site 4
Stupa inside the chetiyaghara Site-1
Mahastupa of the Mahavihara Site-1
Swastika stupa- Site 59
54
Buddhist Philosophy
Ven. Sok Bunthoeun
The Triple Gems (Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha) represent
Buddhism. They are closely interrelated with each other.
Buddha, the greatest man in this world, has three kinds of qualities,
Wisdom, Purification and Compassion. He is the spiritual leader
and performs services for humankind regardless of race, social
strata, religious and political tendencies and so on. He was the
founder of Buddhism.
Ven. Sok Bunthoeun
(Cambodia)
Dhamma was enlightened by Lord Buddha as the wheel of law for
liberation of human's suffering.
Ven. Sok Bunthoeun is a monk and Chief Abbot of Wat
Nunda Muny (Cambodia), Secretary to Samdech Preah
Thormilikhet Lors Lay, member of Buddhist Leadership
Initiatives (BLI) in Cambodia, and Honorable Grade of
Rajjaghanak in Cambodia. He is Certificate Holder in
Behaviour Change Communication Strategies from
Dhurakijpundit University, Bangkok, Bachelor of Art in
Educational Science & Information from Buddhist University
of Preah Sihanouk Rajja, and Bachelor of Art in International
Relations & Master of Laws in Law (MLL) from Pannasastra
University of Cambodia, (PUC). Presently he is pursuing
Doctoral in Law. He has attended various multilateral
conferences.
The Sangha community was also formed to symbolize Buddhism
and help to propagate his teachings to the world. The Triple Gems
have been recognized and applied as the triangle for social
development and good governance. Buddha represents individual
leader, Dhamma as law or Sangha orders, and Sangha as
community or society.
Buddha, Leader
Sangha, Community,
Dhamma,Law
Society
1-Brief Background of Buddhism
The history of Buddhism appeared since sixth century B.C to the
present, starting with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama in
ancient India in what is now Lumbini, Nepal.
For the remaining times of his life, the Buddha traveled in the
Gangetic Plain of North eastern India and other regions to promote
his teachings. When he was 80 years old, he attained Parinirvāṇa in
the abandoned jungles of Kuśināraā, what is now known Kusināgā.
He was born in the family of Sakya in 563 B.C. After becoming an
ascetic and sitting in meditation, he discovered the path of
moderation away from the extremes of self-indulgence and selfmortification.
Just before Buddha passed away, he advised his followers that
thereafter the Dharma-vinaya would be their teachers. After
attaining Nirvanir, the Dharma-vinaya was not recorded yet. The
versions of the canon were preserved in Pāli, Sanskrit, Chinese,
and Tibetan are crystallized during three centuries of oral
transmission.
Siddhartha Gautama attained the enlightenment under Bothi Tree,
now known as Budha Gayā in India. Through his enlightenment,
he was known as Saṁmāsaṁbuddho or Buddha meaning that "The
perfectly Self-Awakened one".
It was reflected that Buddhism is an old religion among the others,
but his sublime teachings are ageless, timeless to be devoted to
service for humankind in all occasions, circumstances and mix
with human society without any conflict.
After his enlightenment, Buddha received the patronage of the
emperor Bimbisāra. King Bimbisāra accepted Buddhism as his
personal faith and allowed the establishment of many temples as
Buddhist heritages, especially in the state of Bihār.
2-Buddhism in India under Asoka Emperor
At the Isipatanamikhadāya Vana (Deer Park) near Vārāṇasī in
northern India, the Lord-Buddha preached Dhamma
Cakkappavatana Suttra (the Wheel of Dharma) by delivering his
first sermon to a group of five companions. Thus, the Triple Gem
was formed (Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha).
Asoka was a follower of Brahmanism like his father (Bindusāra)
and grandfather (Candragupta). According to the Sri Lanka
chronicle, Asoka was converted to become the Buddhist follower
by a young novice named Nigrodha.
55
some influence in Sri Lanka at that time, the Theravāda ultimately
prevailed and Sri Lanka turned out to be the last stronghold of it.
Theravāda Buddhism has played important roles and strongly
influenced in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka also had close relationships
with other Theravāda Buddhist countries. From there it would
expand again to South-East Asia from time to time. In this reason,
Cambodia (Former Sovannabhummi-golden peninsula) has also
been converted to Buddhism from the 3rd century BC under the
proselytizing of the Indian Emperor Aśoka . From that time, the
Indian and Sri Lankan cultures influenced and mixed with
Cambodian literature, culture and lived with peaceful coexistence.
In the year 218 of Buddhist era (268 B.C), after his conversion,
Buddhism gained the great ascendency under the Asoka's
patronage. Under his patronage, the third council was held. The
objectives of the council are: (1) to purify the Buddhist teachings,
(2) to send missionaries to different regions.
According to the inscriptions said that, Asoka sent his religious
missionaries to promote Buddhist teachings to different countries,
such as, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the countries in Central Asia
and Southeast Asia. Thus, the Moggaliputta Tissa Thera deputed
Majjhantika Thera to Kaasmira-Gandhaara, Mahaadeva Thera to
Mahisamandala, Rakkhita Thera to Vanavaasi, YonaDhammarakkhita Thera to Aparaantaka, Dhammarakkhita Thera
to Mahaarattha, Mahaarakkhita Thera to Yonaloka, Majjhima
Thera to Himavanta,
Sona Thera and Uttara Thera to
Suvannabhuumi, and Mahinda Thera with Theras Itthiya, Uttiya,
Sambala and Bhaddasaala to Lanka, saying unto the five Theras:
"Establish ye in the delightful land of Lanka the delightful religion
of the Vanquisher."
Based on the historical record, the son of King Jayavarman VII,
Tamilinda, was sent to Sri Lanka to be ordained and studied
Theravada Buddhism. He studied at the Mahavihara Monastery in
Sri Lanka (1180-1190). For 10 years, Tamalinda returned to
Cambodia and promoted the Theravada Buddhism in the territory
of Cambodia.
Theravada Buddhism became the state religion in Cambodia in the
13th century and after. In 14th century, Buddhism still continued to
get progress due to King Jayavarman VII and Tamilinda (King's
son) tried to keep and promoted for Cambodian society.
That stage was the first development of Buddhism and the
promotion of Buddhist messages in India and other countries. By
starting to promote from the Northeast of Indian peninsula,
Buddhism spread rapidly to the Central Asia, Eastern Asia and
Southeast Asia.
Jayavarman VII was already an elderly man, perhaps 60, when he
ascended the throne. Before becoming king, he had devoted his
long life to meditation. He performed his works in "saving" the
Khmer people and establishing a Buddhist empire.
Besides, the Buddhist faith was propagated throughout the
Hellenistic and western worlds and the countries near
Mediterranean Ocean.
3.
Jayavarman VII (1181-1215) was the greatest of all Khmer
Buddhist kings. Jayavarman VII worked tirelessly to establish
Buddhism as the state religion of Angkor. Khmer People
recognised him as a living Buddha, or bodhisattva to save his
people from suffering. He built numerous public works to serve the
people, including waterworks, hospitals, temples, hospices for
travelers.
The Mission to Sri Lanka and Arrival of Mahinda
India was not only the birthplace of the Greatest Man (Buddha),
but also the country which produced the wisdom and propagated
the light of wisdom (Dhamma) to the world. The messages or gift
of Dhamma was flourished and propagated to other countries by
peaceful means. Many countries received Buddhist teachings as
their refuges and heritages. In this sense, Buddhist teachings were
interwoven with the host cultures and recognized as invaluable
heritages.
Stone inscriptions say "it is the public grief that makes a king's
grief." Another inscription reads: "Filled with a deep sympathy for
the good of the world, the king swore this oath; 'All beings who are
plunged in the ocean of existence, may I draw them out by virtue of
this good work and may the kings of Cambodia who come after me,
attached to goodness in their minds."
Sri Lanka was one of the countries, ruled by King Devanampiya
Tissa at that time, proselytized by Asoka's Prah Mahā Mahinda
Thera (Asoka's son) and six companions during the 3rd century
BC. In addition, Aśoka's daughter, Saṅghamittrā Theri also
established the Bhikkhunī (order for nuns) in Sri Lanka, also
bringing with her a sapling of the sacred Bodhi tree that was
subsequently planted in Anuradhapura 38. From that day up to the
present, the Buddhists in Sri Lanka have paid and are paying the
utmost reverence to this branch of the Bodhi Tree under the shade
of which the Master achieved Enlightenment.
If we examine deeply, we understand that the form of Theravāda
Buddhist teachings and its practice in Sri Lanka is the same with
Theravāda Buddhism in Cambodia. In addition, Theravāda
Buddhism in Cambodia and Sri Lanka used to face the competition
from the western influences (Christianity influence), but
Theravada Buddhism for both countries proved surprisingly
resistant to foreign attempts 39.
Since then Buddhism has flourished and Sri Lankan monks and
expatriate lay people have been prominent in spreading Theravada
Buddhism in Asia, the West and even in Africa.This is when the
Mahāvihāra monastery, a center of Sinhalese orthodoxy, was built.
The Pāli canon was written down in Sri Lanka during the reign of
King Vattagamani (29–17 BC), and the Theravāda tradition
flourished there. Later some great commentators worked there,
such as Buddhaghosā (4th–5th century) and Dhammapāla (5th–6th
century), and they systemized the traditional commentaries that
had been handed down. Although Mahāyāna Buddhism gained
4.
Cultural Heritages between India and Sri Lanka
Culture is the most basic element of society and that its importance
must be revered. It is the common bond that ties the people of
nation, community or region together. Cross-Culture has been
faced by many countries in the world. No country can be isolated
from that cross-culture. Cultural Heritages between India and Sri
Lanka has been seen for a long time. The ancestors of both
countries reserved the paramount cultural heritages both material
and spiritual ones for their descendants. Today, those invaluable
cultural heritages become the world heritages and human
properties. In this context, what do the cultural heritages mean?
38
When the original Bodhi Tree at Buddha Gayā died, a cutting from Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka was
brought and planted in Buddha Gayā as a return. This shows the relationship of Buddhistinfluence, political and cultural cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
56
Even his teachings were not recorded in writing during the
Buddha's lifetime, but his followers kept orally and transferred
from one generation to the other.
The cultural heritages are the tangible and intangible properties
that are the heritages of human beings to reveal the proof of human
achievements and are very important to the values of
archaeologies, histories, arts, science, religions, anthropologies…,
etc. In this sense, cultural heritages are divided into two categories,
a tangible and an intangible cultural heritage.
1.
After Buddha attained Nirvana for 3 months under the 8th reign of
King Acheatasattu, 500 noble monks (Arahants) summoned the
first council to verify the Buddha's teachings. Prah Mahā Ănanda
was responsible for answering the Suttra Pitaka (conventional
teachings), Prah Mahā Upāli was selected to answer and verify
Vinaya Pitaka (the discipline). Therefore, the first council was to
form the Tripitaka to symbolize the Buddha's sublime teachings.
The tangible cultural heritage is the human
achievements which are the properties
can be seen, touched, being understandable and having historical
values, arts, religions, such as temples, castles, sculptures,
paintings, inscriptions.
2.
By 100 and 236 thereafter, the second council was held at
Pataliputta to verify and purify the Buddha's teachings due to there
was an attempt to defame the dignity of Sublime Buddhist
teachings.
The intangible cultural heritages is also human
achievements transferring from
About 83 B.C during the reign of King Vataghāmini Aphaya, the
council of Arahants (Noble monks) held and Tripitaka was
recorded in writing at Aluvihāra 41, Sri Lanka. By their efforts, they
(Arahants) maintained the Buddha's original teachings that no one
could criticized.
one generation to other generations through speaking, imitating
and continual practice that can't be seen, touched and being
difficult to understand such as languages, arts, religions, beliefs,
customs, and traditions.
Therefore, the pure teachings in Tripitaka symbolize Buddhism.
Tripitaka means thing for collecting Dhamma-vinaya. It is
classified into three kinds. They are: Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka
and Abhidhamma Pitaka.
Through the two kinds of cultural heritages, both countries have
exchanged with each other for a long time until to the present and
continue to the future. For example, a sapling of the sacred Bodhi
tree and Buddhist teachings was sent to Sri Lanka. Then, it was sent
back to India when the original Bodhi tree died. Many Buddhist
temples were built in India by Sri Lankan monks to reflect cross
cultural heritages for both countries. Moreover, the invaluable
heritages are Buddhist teachings.
5.1. Sutta Pitaka:
Sutta Pitaka is the prestigious Pāli Canon of Buddhist scripture
delivered by Buddha and his followers. It states about the exact
principles of the Buddhist way of life. This Pitaka is divided into
five Nikāya. They are:
5. Basic Buddhist teachings:
Buddha's teachings represent Buddhism based on the Four Noble
Truths, the suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of
suffering, and path leading to the cessation of suffering. 40 These
teachings have the comprehensive prosperities, religious and
philosophical systems, the ways of life, the truths and the ways of
peace and liberations. Lord-Buddha taught both the theory and the
practice. His teachings revealed the nature of life and the nature of
the world, how they are. Moreover, these teachings are the ways to
eradicate the ignorance and upgrade the world civilizations. They
became the excellent forces of civilizations spreading to other
countries' cultures and civilizations and the driving forces to fulfill
all aspects of life, such as social works, educations, literatures, arts,
psychologies, architectures, cultures and philosophies of
moralities. For centuries, a number of social institutions were
established in many countries to consecrate to the Buddha's
teachings. Buddhist beliefs and practices became the ways of life
with consciousness, scientific characteristics to develop spiritual
forces.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
5.2. Vinaya Pitaka:
Vinaya Pitaka comprises of set of rules stressed by Buddha, which
is meant to be followed by Buddhist people. It deals with the rules
and regulations of the orders of monks and nuns. This Pitaka
consists of the five following books:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Dhamma-vinaya (Doctrine and Discipline) represents Buddhism.
Doctrine and Discipline means doctrine of reality or truth. It is the
way for liberations of sufferings which was enlightened by LordBuddha. Lord-Buddha passed away, but his sublime teachings are
still dead-less and timeless messages for liberation.
Parājika Pāli: (Major Offences)
Pācittiya Pāli: (Minor Offences)
Mahāvagga Pāli: (Greater Section)
Cullavagga Pāli: (Smaller Section)
Parivāra Pāli: (Epitome of the Vinaya)
These five books cover all rules for physical and verbal regulations
in orders in Sangha community. It is considered as the foundation
for maintaining Buddhism in order and progress.
39
For Cambodia, in the 16th century, Portuguese Christianity missionary named Gaspar de
Cruz spent about a year in Cambodia. He tried to convert Cambodian Buddhist people to
believe in Christianity, but his efforts were failed. While, Sri Lanka in the 19th also faced as
the same and Sri Lankan Buddhist people and Buddhist scholars persisted and stabilized
Buddhism.
40
Digha Nikāya (Collection of Long Discourses)
Majjhima Nikāya(Collection of Middle-Length
Discourses )
Siṁyutta Nikāya(Collection of Kindred Sayings)
Anguttara Nikāya(Collection of Discourses arranged in
accordance with number)
Khuddaka Nikāya(Smaller Collection).
5.3. Abhidhamma Pitaka:
See below at the Buddhist Philosophy on metaphysics
Abhidhamma contains the profound philosophy of the Buddha's
teachings. It talks about the four ultimate things (Paramattha).
41
A small village in Sri Lanka, about 24 miles from Kandy. It is a sacred stone-temple and a
place of Buddhist pilgrims.
57
applied in all aspects of life. Therefore, I would like to reveal some
of Buddhist philosophy towards some aspects as the following:
They are Citta (Consciousness), Cetasika (Mental Concomitants),
Rupa (Matter) and Nirvana 42. Abhidhamma Pitaka is composed of
the seven books. They are:
6.1. Buddhist Philosophy on metaphysics
1. Dhamma-Sangani(Enumeration of Phenomena)
2. Vibhanga (The book of the Treaties)
3. Kathā-Vatthu(Point of Controversy)
4. Puggala Paññatti(Description of Individuals)
5. Dhātu Kathā(Discussion with reference to Elements)
6. Yamaka (The book of Pairs)
7. Patthāna (The book of Relations)
Metaphysics is a branch of philosophy that examines the true
nature of reality, whether visible or invisible. Metaphysics
includes the relationship between mind and matter, substance and
attribute, and, fact and value. Basically, metaphysics is the
philosophical study of being and knowing. It is very closely related
to spirituality. In this sense, Buddhism is the master-mold of
metaphysics.
Traditionally, Abhidhamma is recognized as the absolute teaching
of the Lord-Buddha. The Buddha is known to have conceptualized
this Pitaka just after his enlightenment, later delivering it to one of
his chief disciples.
6.1.1. Abhidhamma:
The profound philosophy of the Buddha's teachings related to the
four ultimate things (Paramattha), Citta (Consciousness), Cetasika
(Mental Concomitants), Rūpa (Matter) and Nirvana.
The Tripitaka contains 84000 aggregates of Dhamma of the LordBuddha. So, all teachings in Tripitaka are Buddhist philosophy for
leading human beings to get prosperous life both this life and the
next.
Citta: According to Abhidhamma, Citta is that which is aware of
an object. From this standpoint, Citta may be defined as the
awareness of an object, since there is no agent like a soul.
6. Buddhist philosophy
Philosophy and Buddhism are two terms which have been
misunderstood and misinterpreted by their meanings. Some
people argued that these two terms have the same meanings. But,
when we analyzed closely, then we realized that, these two terms
are not the same. Philosophy is only a small part of Buddhist
teachings. Moreover, if we compare philosopher and Buddha, then
we realized that, philosopher is only the person who studied and
has a particular knowledge of any particular thing or field; whereas
Buddha is called Sammā Sambuddho, which means that a fully
Enlightened One. He is the Giver of purest love, the profoundest
wisdom, and the highest truth.
Cetasika: Mental things which are bound up with the
simultaneously arising consciousness and conditioned by its
presence. In the Abhidhamma, there are 52 Cetasikas (Mental
things), Vedanā(feeling),Saññā( perception) and Sankhā (50
mental formations).
Rūpa : It connotes both fundamental units of matter and material
changes as well. There are 28 species of matter, four great
Essentials and 24 material qualities derived from them 43.
Nibbāna: It is the Supra-mundane (Lokuttara). It is the only
absolute reality, which is the ultimate happiness of Buddhism. It is
gained after practicing Lokuttara-Dhamma.
In addition, Philosophy is only the love of wisdom. Buddhism may
approximate to a philosophy, but it is very much more
comprehensive. Philosophy deals with knowledge and is not
concerned with practice; whereas Buddhism lays special emphasis
on practice and realization.
These four ultimate truths embrace everything that is mundane or
supra- mundane. They are the indispensible guides and intellectual
treats for those who wish to increase their wisdom and lead the
ideal Buddhist lives. They are also important both form of
philosophy and ethical standpoint. A philosophy and an ethical
system have been developed on these lines. Based on the
philosophy, an ethical system has been evolved to realize the
ultimate goal, Nibbāna.
Buddhism is the philosophy of awakening. Buddhist philosophy
deals broadly with problems associated with and foundation,
master-mold of metaphysics, ethics, phenomenology and
epistemology. All teachings have the comprehensive prosperities,
moral, religious and philosophical systems, the ways of life, the
truths and the ways of peace and liberations.
6.1.2. PATICCASAMUPPĂDA
It is regarded as the most advanced of the philosophical systems of
India. Ethics, science and philosophy are interwoven into a system
which is divorced from mythology and which attempts to unravel
the real nature of life. There is no Buddha-Dharma which does not
stem from the logical and rational foundations of philosophy. In
this sense, Buddhist teachings have been recognized as the
foundation or father of philosophy.
The theory of PATICCASAMUPPĂDA (Dependent Origination)
is also the kind of metaphysics in Buddhism. It is related to causal
relation. Term "PA ICCASAMUPPĂDA" is the doctrine of the
43
Four Great Essentials are: (1) the element of extension, (2) element of cohesion, (3)
element of heat, (4) element of motion. The 24 material qualities derived from Four Great
Essentials are: Pasāda-Rūpa(Pasāda-Rūpas are the sensitive parts of the five organ-eye, ear,
nose, tongue, and body), Gocara- Rūpa ( Gocara- Rūpa means sense-fields which serve as
support for the sense-cognitions to arise. There are four kinds of Gocara- Rūpa, form, sound,
smell, and tongue), Sabhāva-Rūpa (material qualities of sex, there are two kinds of material
qualities, they are femininity and masculinity), Hadayavathu (It is the seat or basis of
consciousness), Jivita-Rūpa or Jivitindriya (There is vitality both in mind and in matter.
Psychic life, which is one of the fifty-two mental states and physical life, which is one of the
twenty-eight Rūpas, are essential characteristics of this so-called being), Ăhāra- Rūpa (It is
the nutritive essence or condition which sustains the physical body) , Paricheda-Rūpa(It is
the air space appears between Rūpa and Rūpa), Viññātti-Rūpa( It is that by means of which
one communicates one's ideas to another and one understand another situation. It is done
both by action and speech-Kāyaviññātti and Vaciviññātti), Vikāra- Rūpa (Changeability of
Rūpa, Lahutā denotes physical health, and is comparable to an, iron-rod heated throguout the
day, Mudutā is the comparable to a well beaten hide, Kammaññatā is opposed to the stiffness
of the body,and is comparable to well hammered gold.), Lakkhana-Rūpa( So called because
they assume distinguishable characteristics at different stages such as arising (Upāda), static
(ţhiti) and dissolution(bhaṅga). There are four kinds of Lakkhana- Rūpa. They are: UcchayaRūpa, Santati- Rūpa, Jaratā- Rūpa, Aniccatā- Rūpa.
From the ancient time to the present, Buddhism has utilized its
philosophy as the means to illuminate the truth and can attracts
thousands of millions of people to be the Buddhists. In this sense,
Buddhism may be recognized as a religion, a philosophy, a way of
life, or all three; here we will deal mainly with Buddhism as a
philosophical system. Moreover, Buddhist teachings can be
42
For these four ultimate truths, see at the Buddhist Philosophy on metaphysics below.
58
conditionality of all physical and psychical phenomena. Paţicca
means "dependent upon" + Samuppāda means "arising or
origination ".
- Taņhā paccayā upādānaṁ-through Craving is conditioned
Clinging or attachment. In order to end the attachment is to the
Craving.
PATICCASAMUPPĂDA shows the conditionality and dependent
nature of that uninterrupted flux of manifold physical and
psychical phenomena of existence conventionally called the Ego,
or Man, or Animal etc. Both living-things and non-living things in
this world are conditioned, nothing exists independently.
-Upādāna paccayā Bhavo-through attachment is conditioned the
process of Becoming. In order to end the process of becoming is
end the attachment.
-Bhava-paccayā Jāti-through the process of Becoming is
conditioned the Rebirth. In order to end the Rebirth is to end the
process of Becoming.
For example, life is formed by mind and matter 44 (Nama-rūpa).
When mind and matter are combined, then life existed. If mind is
not dependent upon matter and matter does not depend upon mind,
then there is no existence of life. This world has no independent
events, because of A arises B. Because of B arises C. When there is
no A, then there is no B. In this sense, PA ICCASAMUPPĂDA is
the chain of causality. This causality is spoken of as a circular
linking of twelve different factors; if the chain of causality can be
broken, existence is ended and liberation attained. It deals with the
cause of rebirth, suffering, death and the ultimate liberation of all
creatures from the pain of existence and its way of liberation of
suffering.
-Jāti-paccayā Jarāmaranaṁ-through the Rebirth is conditioned
Old age and Death. In order to end Old age and Death is to end
Rebirth or Cycle of life.
6.1.3. The Wheel of Dhamma:
Dhammachakkapawattana Sutra (discourse of the Wheel of
Dhamma, Law) was the first sermon, given by the Buddha at
Issipatana Park more than 2,500 years ago. In this Sutra, there are
four main themes called the Four Noble Truths, (1) Dukkha-sacca
(the truth of suffering), (2) Samudaya-sacca (the truth of the cause
of suffering), (3) Nirodha-sacca (the truth of the cessation of
suffering) and (4) Magga-sacca (the truth of the path leading to the
cessation of suffering). These noble truths have no in other
religions. They have only in Buddhism. They talk about the
relationship between cause and effect. Suffering is the effect or
result of its cause (greed, anger and delusion). The truth of the
cessation of suffering is the effect or result of its cause ( Sila,
Samāthi and Paññā).
When Buddha sat under the Bodhi-tree in the day of his
enlightenment, Buddha analyzed that about the cause of Death or
decay. How were they originated? What is the cause of suffering?
And how could suffering, death be liberated and ended? The
formulas of Dependent origination of the cause of birth, suffering,
death and the ways leading to liberation runs as the follow:
- Avijjā-paccayā saṅkhārā-through the ignorance is conditioned
the rebirth-producing volition-Saṅkhāras. Dependent on the
ignorance arise conditioning activities (Saṅkhārā). Ignorance is
the deep delusion and not-knowingness of things as they truly are.
When ignorance is destroyed and turned into knowingness, all
Karma-formations are shattered or ended.

Dukkha-sacca is the first of the four insights. It is
variously translated as suffering, pain, unsatisfactory quality of
life. When human beings oversee what they are experienced or
look at what is around them, then they realize that life is really full
of suffering. The suffering is classified into two types. They are
physical and mental sufferings.
- Saṅkhāra-paccayā viññāņaṁ-through the Karma-formation
(in the past life) is conditioned Consciousness (in the present life).
Dependent on the Saṅkhārā arise conditioning viññāņa. The term
Saṅkhārā signifies Akusala (immoral), Kusala (moral) and Ăneñja
Cetanā
(unshakable volitions), which constitute Kamma that
produce rebirth. In order to end the rebirth or the cycle of life is to
end the Saṅkhārā or Kamma.
- Viññāņa-paccayā nāma-rūpaṁ-through Consciousness is
conditioned the mental and physical phenomena (nāma-rūpa)
existed (individual existence). In order to end the mental and
physical phenomena is to end the Consciousness.
A-Physical suffering: It is categorized into four kinds. These
categories are (1) suffering of birth, (2) suffering of old age; (3)
suffering caused by illness and (4) the agony of death. Life is
formed by Nāmma-Ruppa (Mind and Matter). When life existed,
then it must face all sufferings above. From the reincarnation to the
childbirth and death, life is under control of the three
characteristics: Anicca (impermanence), Dukkha(suffering ) and
Anattā (No-soul). Body changes gradually from time to time.
Nothing stays the same and no one can escape from those
sufferings.
- Nāma-rūpa-paccayā salāyatanam-through the mental and
physical phenomena are conditioned the 6 Bases (5 physical senseorgans and consciousness). In order to end 6 Bases is to end mental
and physical phenomena.
B-Mental sufferings: Besides the physical suffering, there is
another suffering within human's mind. One faces worry, fear,
anxiety, and mental disturbance due to disappearance of the
beloved relatives or wanting everything to be static.
- Salāyatana-paccayā Phasso-through the six bases is
conditioned the Impression. In order to end the Impression
(sensorial mental) is to end the six bases.

Samudaya-sacca is the second noble truth mentions
about the cause of suffering. It teaches that the pain of life or
suffering is caused by Tanhā (passion, wish, desire, craving…). In
Buddhism, Tanhā is divided into three kinds or categories. They
are Kāma-Tanhā (craving for sexuality or craving for Sensuous
Existence or Kārma-Bhava, the five senses, forms, sound, odour,
- Phassa-paccayā Vedanā-through the Impression is conditioned
Feeling. In order to end the impression is to end feeling is to end the
impression.
44
Matter (Rūpa), according to Buddhism, means elements. There are four fundamental
material elements. They are: Paţhavi(element of extension), Ăpo(element of cohesion),
Tejo(element of heat) and Vāyo(element of motion).
- Vedanā-paccaya taņhā-through Feeling is conditioned the
Craving. In order to end the craving is end the feeling.
59
Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
taste, touch), Bhava- Tanhā (craving for rebirth in Fine-material
Existence, Rūpa-Bhava or Rūpalokas), and VibhavaTanhā(craving for rebirth in Immaterial Existence, Arūpa-Bhava
or A Arūpalokas 45).

-sacca is the third noble truth. It is a complete release from
craving, attachment, selfish grasping, and liberation from
pain and rebirth.

Magga-sacca is the fourth noble truth. It tells how to attain
the liberation and describes the Noble E ightfold Path leading
to Nirvana, the utter extinction of the pain of existence.
Sammā-Vāyāma: It is a good effort. It perseveres endeavor (1) to
prevent the arising of evil and unwholesome things,(2) to discard
such evil things already arisen,(3) to produce and develop
wholesome things not yet arisen, and(4) to promote and maintain
the good things already present.
Sammā-Sati: It is to be diligently aware, mindful and attentive
with regard to activities of the body ( Kāyā-nupassanā), sensations
or feelings( Vedanā-nupassanā), the activities of the mind(Cittānupassanā), ideas, thoughts, conceptions and things( Dhammānupassanā).
6.2. Buddhist Philosophy on the Way of Life
Sammā- Samāthi: It is the way to train the mind to be calm called
(Samāthi). Samāthi (meditation) is the best way in Buddhism.
When mind is trained, then mind produces the wholesome things
and generate paramount benefits for individual and society.
To many, Buddhism is considered as the way of life because
Buddhist philosophy provides the Buddhist path can be summed up
as:
(1) To lead a moral life,
(2) To be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and
(3) To develop wisdom and understanding.
In this reason, mind is trained and disciplined and developed
through Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
6.2.3. Wisdom (Pañña):
The Buddha intended his philosophy to be a practical one, aimed at
the happiness of all creatures. To achieve this, however, requires a
disciplined life and a clear commitment to liberation; the Buddha
laid out a clear path to the goal and also observations on how to live
life wisely. The core of this teaching is contained in the Noble
Eightfold Path. It entails Sammā- Diţţhi (Right Understanding),
Sammā-Saṁkappa (Right Thought), Sammā-Vācā (Right
Speech), Sammā-Kammanta (Right Action), Sammā-Ăjiva (Right
Livelihood), Sammā-Vāyāma (Right Effort), Sammā-Sati (Right
Mindfulness) and Sammā-Samāthi (Right Concentration). The
Noble Eightfold Path is divided into the three essential areas of
Buddhist practice: ethical conduct, mental discipline
('concentration; or 'meditation'), and wisdom.
The remaining two factors of the Noble Eightfold Path namely,
Right Understanding, and Right Thought go to constitute Wisdom.
Sammā-Diţţhi: It is the understanding of things as they are. It is
the highest understanding about the Ultimate reality. In this sense,
Sammā-Diţţhi is the understanding about the Four Noble Truths
(Suffering, cause of suffering, cessation of suffering and way
leading to cessation).
Sammā-Saṁkappa: It is the thought of renunciation
(Nekkhamma-Saṁkappa), good will (Avyāpāda-Saṁkappa) and
of compassion or non-harm (Avihiṁsā-Saṁkappa). These
thoughts are to be cultivated and extended towards all living beings
regardless of race, caste, clan, or creed.
6.2.1. Ethical Conduct (Sila):
It is based on love and compassion. Sila is included three factors of
the Noble Eightfold Path: namely, Right Speech, Right Action and
Right livelihood.
6.3. Buddhist philosophy on the right to life
Pānātipātā veramani is the Buddhist precept related the right to
life. It is the most basic principle for protecting human beings from
violence. These principles interrelate and support each other's.
Sammā-Vācā refers to good speech which means abstention from
(1) telling lies, (2) backbiting and slander and talk that may bring
about hatred, enmity, disunity, and disharmony among individuals
or group of people, (3) idle, useless and foolish babble and gossip.
Pānātipātā veramani offers traditional and in-depth realizations in
the world culture. In contrast, right to life could be seen as a
modern principle guarantees world citizens from maltreatment and
physical abuses. These philosophies are crucial to mankind. They
provide a solid foundation to help people toward prosperous life.
Sammā-Kammanta refers to good physical actions which mean
abstention from (1) killing, (2) stealing, and (3) sexual misconduct
illicit sexual indulgence.
Sammā-Ăjiva refers to the way of living without harming and
suffering the others. It is the abstention from the five wrong
trafficking, (1) in arms and weapons, (2) in animals for slaughter,
(3) in human beings, (4) in intoxicating drinks or drugs and (5)
poisons.
The foundation of education in Buddhism is based on Sila or moral
conduct. Sila is a principle of human behavior which includes
three factors of the eightfold Path: namely, right speech, right
action and right livelihood.
Paññca sila (Five precepts) of Buddhism, namely (1) Pānātipātā
veramani (abstaining from killing), (2) Atinnādānā veramani
(abstaining from taking possession of anything that has not been
given by its owner), (3) Kāmesumecchācārā veramani (abstaining
from sexual misconducts), (4) Musāvādā veramani (abstaining
6.2.2. Mental Discipline (Samāthi):
It is the way to train or cultivate human's mind to be calm. Mental
Discipline covers the three factors of the Eightfold Path: namely
46
See at the Buddhist Philosophy toward the Way of Life, page above, in order to understand
more about the classification of the Eightfold path into Sila, Samāthi and Paññā.
45
Arūpa-Bhava or Arūpalokas are immaterial planes where those who have developed the
Arūpa Jhānas(Absorptions or Ecstasies) are born.
47
60
Dhammananda,K. Sri (1996). The purpose of life, vol.13, p.231.
human or people Development. When people are developed, then
societies are the like. Social development is involved with socioeconomic and cultural developments such as economic growth,
educational progress, social welfare, rules of law, harmonization,
moral, spiritual and wisdom developments and so on. Social
progress refers to the harmonious unification and peaceful coexistence for people.
from lying or evil speech) and(5) Surāmeraya Majjappamā
Dathānā veramani (abstaining from intoxicating drinks), are the
ways of practice of human beings in society. These precepts are
considered as the moral conducts of human beings.
Pānātipātā veramani, the first precept of the Paññca sila, is the
principle of prohibition against taking of another's life and
harming another's limb and body. It is the foundation of Karunā
(compassion) for everybody to practice in daily life. Karunā
represents love, charity, kindness, tolerance and such noble
qualities on the emotional side and qualities of heart. It is regarded
as the way of life and the noble righteous, cultured and religious
life which should be respected by everybody 47. Pānātipātā
veramani is the way of respecting and recognizing the right to life,
that is, no one can deprive of another's life.
In this sense, Buddhism focuses on the four factors of
development, physical, moral, mental and wisdom developments.
6.4.1. Physical development:
It refers to material development, such as infrastructure, economic
growth, production, instruments and food, especially four
requisites (dress, food, shelter and medicine) for sustaining our
lives to the existence. Buddhism not only teaches the ways to
create the economic growth, but also the ways to maintain what are
the results of economic progress. To this sense, there is Buddhist
four ways to develop and maintain what are the developed results.
They are:
The right to life is seen and cited in this precept which Buddhist
followers should respect. If one violates this precept, it means that
he or she abuses Buddhist teaching. The Pānātipātā or deprivation
of another's life is an act of taking someone's life which is a sinful
act in Buddhism. In other words, it is contrary to Buddhist
principle on Pānātipātā veramani and the violators will inevitably
receive both moral and criminal responsibilities. The moral
responsibility is a rational law of Karmma that operates
automatically and speaks in terms of cause and effect instead of
reward and punishment. In this sense, the performer of killing
receives brevity of life, constant grief and fear, getting
vindictiveness and born in the dissatisfactory realm. While,
criminal responsibility is a conviction of perpetrator who
committed that offense is prescribed by law and all elements of the
offense are proven by the persecution beyond reasonable doubt.
A-Utthānna Sampadā: to be full of efforts. The efforts and patience
to the works are the primary mold of development. It is contrary to
laziness. The laziness is the source of decline, poorness for
individual, family and society.
If the individual, family and society are lazy, then, that individual,
family and society have nothing. Thus, to reduce decline,
poorness, Buddhism urges, motivates and guides people to be
active, effortful, and patient to all circumstances.
In addition, both in the religious and philosophical aspects of
Buddhism always begin with deepest understanding about taking
care of life, freedom from torture, abolishing all forms of illtreatments and living without fear and worry.
Buddhism does not teach people to wait for rewards from Gods yet.
But, it guides people to have the recourse to self-help in advance. If
the individual, family and society only sleep and wait for rewards
from the other and gods, that individual, family and society can't
find out the light of happiness and it is considered as social diseases
and sins.
Philosophy on loving-kindness and non-violence is the universal
declaration of Buddhism pertaining right to life of everyone on the
earth without interfering, suffering and harming from the others.
These theories are considered as the principles and ways of
peaceful coexistences in society.
From the point of view of cause and effect, people must work hard,
efforts to works in the present time. The efforts to works are the
vessel of a sustainable development. This concept has been used by
the developed countries. They invest in concepts or opinions.
Buddhist philosophy on Pānātipātā veramani and right to life are
both moral and social rules which are stated in the United Nation's
charter ( Art.3 of UDHR) for promotion of compassion, tolerance,
culture of peace, social order and stability in the purposes of human
right's respect, especially right to life and common interests.
B-Ărakkha Sampadā: to be full of protection or taking care of what
are the created-results. The efforts always create the results. If the
results or consequences are developed, and then there is no
properly protection, the results will disappear. The creation or
development is the difficult task, but the more difficult is the
protection or maintaining what are developed. Therefore, the
protection is the second phase for maintaining the results of
development.
6. 4. Buddhist Philosophy on Social Development
Buddhism is the social thread, foundation of social fabric,
collection of morality and wisdom. This religion teaches all human
beings about self-help, mutual compassion and common
development for all happiness. Common happiness really
originates from common development. The common development
literally means development for all and with equity in human
society. Human society is the group of people involved with social
status, roles and networks and humans are the real resources of the
nations. In order to develop the nation, to be foremost, we must
develop human or individual.
C- Kallayān Mittatā: being a person who good friends. Good
friends here refer to those to make benefits for friends, not only for
themselves. In the international relations between one country to
the others, friend refers to those countries have good relationships
with equity and fair competition. These kinds of friends, individual
or country should make relationships for social progress in all
fields and happiness.
D-Sama Chivitā: being a person who lives with equity. Living
with equity refers to division of economic income with equity.
There is no gad between the poor and the rich.
The progress of a nation depends on the progress of individual,
47
Dhammananda,K. Sri (1996). The purpose of life, vol.13, p.231.
61
Wisdom is classified into two kinds, Lokiya Panna (mundane
wisdom) and Lokuttara Panna (supra-mundane wisdom).
6.4.2. Moral conduct development
Man is the social animal that can build the character of man for
making relation with society. Good society, developed society
must start from the developed individual or moral development.
Lokiya Panna refers to simple knowledge used in this world such
as knowledge of business, history, geography, mathematics and
law and so on.
Moral conduct is the principle of behavior of human. It is selfdiscipline. We must learn to live with peaceful mind and not
harming the others. If everybody follows this principle, it is the
foundation of peace building, happiness, progress, achievement,
and the good ways of life. In Buddhism, there are a lot of precepts
need to be practiced, but the primary precepts mention here are five
precepts that are foundations of common development are:
Lokuttara Panna refers to wisdom used in Dhamma sense for
liberation of suffering. It is the right understanding of the world in
the light of its transience, suffering and insubstantiality.
These wisdoms are the third and last stage of the path for material
and spiritual developments. After undertaking the observance of
morality and the mind is well-concentrated, then, he is able to
understand the true nature of things. Wisdom and Brightness are
appeared in mind.
1-Pānātipātā veramani: abstaining from killing. This precept is the
universal declaration of Buddhism pertaining right to life of
everybody on the earth without interfering, suffering and harming
from the other. It's also considered as the principles and ways of
peaceful co-existences in society.
When illusion, ignorance and evil thoughts disappear from the
mind, brightness appears in their place. That brightness is
enlightenment. We have to learn how to open the mind. When the
mind is fully opened, then development takes place, which is inner
development.
2-Atinnādānā veramani: abstaining from taking possession of
anything that has not been
given by its own. It is related to the non-violation of
possession's rights.
Thus, Sila, Samadhi, Panna are the three main religious principles
in Buddhism for the development of human life. Further
development of Sila or precepts for the attainment of sainthood is
called Adhi Sila. Calmness or tranquility of the consciousness is
called Adhi Citta (Samadhi). Gaining higher wisdom through the
development of insight -Vipassana is called Adhi Panna. These
therefore are the three Buddhist principles for training the human
mind and social-development.
3-Kāmesumecchācārā veramani: abstaining from sexual
misconducts.
4-Musāvādā veramani: abstaining from lying or evil speech.
5-Surāmeraya Majjappamā Dathānā verami: abstaining from
intoxicating drinks.
6.
These precepts are the ways of practice of human beings in society
and are considered as the moral conducts of human beings should
be practiced to promote the common development.
Conclusion:
In short, India is the founder-country of Buddhism and propagated
its teachings to other countries in the world. During his lifetime,
Lord-Buddha wandered from one place to the other to advice
people to understand his teachings about the way of life for
practice to gain happiness in the lifetime and liberation. After he
passed away, his teachings became the master or teacher instead of
his to teach human beings from the past to the present and continue
to the future.
6.4.3. Mental development:
Samadhi is the second principle for cultivation of the mind to
experience peace and calmness by focusing the mind on one
particular object. The minds of those who have no such experience
are very weak. The reason why their minds are very weak is due to
the fear that disturbs them. We have feelings of insecurity and
suspicion within us because of that weakness. Every minute we
dissipate our mental energy unprofitably through our five senses
that can do nothing.
In the reign of the Asoka, Buddhism gained great ascendency
under his patronage. The messages or gift of Dhamma was
flourished and propagated to other countries. Many countries
received Buddhist teaching as their refuges and heritages,
especially Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
These five channels extract our mental energy and use that energy
to attract external objects which cause suspicion, fear and worry.
They collect defilements from outside through the senses and
confuse our mind. Thus the mind has no time to relax and becomes
weak because of this wastage of energy. In order to reduce
confuses and strengthen the power of minds, Buddhism teaches us
about how to cultivate mind called Bhāvanā. Term "Bhāvanā"
means cultivation of mind, which is the collection of energy,
disappeared to put at the former places. When mind is developed, it
becomes the potential powers to reduce defilements the bad things
out of mind. Thus, cultivation of mind is the precondition of mindstrengthening through methods of meditation and peaceful mind
for common interests and sustainable progress.
Cultural heritages of Sri Lanka are fulfilled by Indian Culture,
especially Theravāda Buddhist philosophy. Theravāda Buddhist
philosophy has played important roles and strongly influenced for
both countries. While, Lankan Culture, arts, literature…, are also
mixed and lived with Indian Culture as return. Many Buddhist
temples were built in the territory of India, such as in Sarnath from
the past to the present day.
Moreover, India and Sri Lanka has also had close relationships
with other Theravāda Buddhist countries. From there it would
expand again to South-East Asia from time to time. Cambodia
(Former Suvannabhummi) has also been converted to Buddhism
from the 3rd Buddhist century under the proselytizing of the Indian
Emperor Aśoka . From that time, the Indian culture influenced and
mixed with Cambodian literature, culture and peaceful coexistence.
6.4.4. Wisdom development:
62
Buddha's teachings were recorded in Tripitaka, having 84000
aggregates of Dhamma, represent Buddhism. These teachings
have the comprehensive prosperities, the ways of life, the truths,
the ways of peace and liberations and the religious and
philosophical systems. Through its philosophy, Buddhism
attracted millions of people to be its adherents or followers in the
world. Those philosophies deal broadly with problems associated
with metaphysics, the ways of life, respect of right to life, ethics,
phenomenology and epistemology that can be applied in all
aspects of life.
References:
-Basanta Bidari(2007). Kapilavastu, the World of Sidhartha:
Kathmandu, Pepal: Hill Side Press(P) Ltd.
------------------(2007). Lumbini, A heaven of Sacred Refuge:
Kathmandu, Pepal: Hill Side Press(P) Ltd.
-Dhammananda, K. Sri (1987). What's Buddhists Believe. Taiwan:
The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational foundation.
----------------------------- (1999). Food for Thinking Mind. Taipei,
Taiwan : The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational foundation.
Buddhist philosophy on metaphysics contains the profound
philosophy of the Buddha's teachings, Citta (Consciousness),
Cetasika (Mental Concomitants), Rupa (Matter) and Nirvana and
the Four Noble Truths, (1) the truth of suffering, (2) the truth of the
cause of suffering, (3) the truth of the cessation of suffering and (4)
the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
-Dr. Kol Pheng (2006-2007). Advanced Management and Leadership
Dynamic: PUC.
- Heng Munihenda(1996). Preah Bath Dhamika: Germany: Buddhism
for Development with the support of the Konard-AdenauerFoundation.
Buddhist philosophy on Sila, Samāthi and Paññā are the practical
principles, aimed at the happiness of all creatures, peaceful living,
co-existence and prosperous life for leading (1) a moral life, (2) to
be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and (3) to develop
wisdom and understanding.
-Heng ,Sreang(2008). Philosophy and Society: PUC.
-Narada(1979). Abhidhamma: Kaula Lumpur. Malaysia: The
Buddhist Missionary Society.
Buddhist philosophy on right to life, such as compassion,
tolerance, non-violence and principle of five precepts, is the most
basic principles for protecting human beings from violence. It
offers traditional and in-depth realizations in the world culture for
guaranteeing the world citizens from maltreatment and physical
abuses and respecting the right to life to help people toward
prosperous life and living without fear and worry.
-Social Development, Heng Munihenda
-Prof, Bunthoeun (2006). Cambodian History: Royal Academy of
Cambodia.
-Sok, Bunthoeun(2547 B.E). What is the Cause and Effect? : Phnom
Penh, Cambodia.
---------------------(2553). The History of Buddhist Flag: Phnom Penh,
Cambodia.
Therefore, Buddhist teachings are the theories of cause and effect
and recognized as the father of philosophical system in the world
which can be applied toward all aspects of life aiming at gaining
happiness and liberation.
---------------------(2009). Comparative Study in Buddhist Principle
on Pānātipātā Veramani and Right to Life under Cambodian Law:
Phnom Penh, Cambodia.- Other relevant documents.
63
CULTURAL INTERFACE BETWEEN INDIA AND SRILANKA
BASED ON BUDDHIST ART
Milan Ratna Shakya
goblins (Yakṣa-Yakṣini) as benign motifs with celestial snakes
(Nāgas), heavenly musicians (Gandharvas), nymphs (Apsarās),
bacchanalian characters (Aśuras), were explored as celebrities of
Bodhisattva and the attributes of Buddhist monasticism. Those
celestial beings were represented in various banners and edifices of
monastic arts of historic motifs for the Buddhist embellishments,
later on.
CULTURAL INTERFACE
Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya
(Nepal)
Art was commoner's profession, which effects to reflect the
sentiments of humanity to attract with the commoner's mind in
aesthetic delights. Thus, it is the interface of sensual and
susceptible desires that reflected into human sentiments as
expression. It plausibly obliges to reveal those unseen and
complicated expressions into visuals by transformation and
imitation. It is effective to allure with commons but its
attractiveness is senseless to the novice of rumination. Thus, it
could be impediment (Māra) in their meditation. Hence, the
notions of its prohibition were apt for neophyte monks of the early
Buddhist monasticism. Moreover, this could be one of the reasons
for lacking of sculptural or painted remains from the Śākyamuni
Buddha's archaeological sites of sixth century BC.
Dr. Milan Ratna Shakya is Associate Professor and Head of
the Central Department of Buddhist Studies, Tribhuwan
University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu (Nepal). He has done M.A.
with distinction in Nepalese History, Culture & Aarchaeology
and doctorate in Culture on the topic of “The Concept, Art
Forms and Aestheticity of Ganesa during Malla Period” from
Tribhuwan University. He is the Subject Committee Member
of Painting in Fine Art Campus (Kathmandu), Member of
Standing Committee of Buddhist Studies Central
Department, Member of Subject Committee of Nepalese
History, Culture & Archaeology Central Department,
Tribhuwan University and Member of Subject Committee in
Philosophy of Nepal Academy. He attended Global Youth
Forum in India in 1993, worked as Visiting Lecturer in
Helsinki University, delivered lectures in various universities
in Finland and at Yonsei University and Cyber University of
South Korea.
Art was spiritual idiom as universal flair of ethics (Śila), to
embrace as skills (Sippa or Silpa) of Buddhist perfections in
rumination (Samādhi) and wisdom (Prajñā). Artisans were inert in
iconic representation of Buddha; monastic influence and their
literal eulogies are admitting this as spiritual practice of
subsequent episode. It was incredibly implemented as Buddha's
perfected action (caryā), later. Otherwise, in common tradition art
existed as profession but not admitted by monasticism for
titivation of their complexes, if so, we need not have to linger for its
looming from the future excavations. Archaeology incorporates
with those artifacts, which entirely approves the historicity. Its
chronological sequence edifies with the human cultural
progression of the perfected skillfulness.
BACKGROUND
Buddhist art begins with Buddha's posthumous memorial of Stupa
used to venerate his remains, to embody Buddha as celestial
teacher of transient, impermanence and Soullessness. His
realization became out of reach to ordinary after his elite
illustration. But he had shown the way to excel the noble
enlightenment to the competent one. Thus Bodhisattva's
conception emerged as savior potent with the compassion to
protect the precision of four sublime states (Catur-Brahmavihār)
viz., Amity (Maitri) by softening of heart, Compassion (Karuṇā)
for loving kindness, Extrication (Muditā) to practice with
sympathetic joy for abolition of jealousy and Equanimity (Upekṣā)
to behave fairness. This idealism of compassion to all pleasure to
all (Bahujana-hitāya bahujana sukhāya) became the standard to
manifest the Buddhist images of wisdom and compassion.
Buddha's optimism of wisdom perfection (Samyak-sam-Buddha)
was inherited from his skillful perfection of the wisdom as BodhiEnlightenment, while the spirit of compassion embodied by him to
excel all these became the admirable aims of Bodhisattvas for the
continuance of his vow for becoming the Buddha. These two
distinct principles formed the Buddhist idealisms as inspiration for
the exploration to the artistic imagination of a Sage's guise of the
Buddha's image and a noble king's semblance to Bodhisattvas in
Gandhara and Mathura tradition of the early Christian eras. It was
embodied with ethnic essence to partake with the essence of
enlightenment as means of perfection by mythical inclusions of
Buddhism integrates with the series of amended thoughts in
practice and esteem through the ages. Accordingly, the series of
Buddhist council meets were required to establish their revisions
as coherent procedures of their mundane perfection, while the
spirituality was confined into the deep meditation. Buddhist
ingenuity truly enriched the tradition of meditation (Samādhī) and
wisdom (Prajñā) for perfection. Devotional mind-set of Buddhist
pilgrimage was recommended and promulgated by Śākyamuni
himself in his death-bed (Mahāparinirvāna
̣ ) for the traumatized
monks and followers in Kuśīnagara. This spiritual instinct has not
only stirred with the sacred devotions but also endorsed with the
literary superfluities of Buddhist spiritual art. Buddha was
configured as historical in the early works but later gradually
became philosophical and titivation of the monastic stream. His
life story was depicted as Buddha's accomplishment with his
previous lives of different eons as Bodhisattva's action (Caryā) in
Jatakas, which incarnates in a human form. 48 Such impression was
envisaged in producing Buddha's icon as the object of spiritual
veneration. The first humanoid Buddha was idealized into
sculptural forms in Hellenistic (Gandhara) and Indian (Mathura)
64
myths as the noble lord of wealth from northern direction viz.,
Kuvera or Vaiśravanạ , in Gandhara. He was legendary from Hindu
epic as once the lord of Lanka isle of the south but expelled by
Rāvanạ towards the north. Thenceforth, he remains the guardian of
that direction. Images of Pañcika-Yakṣa and Hāratī are accepted as
caring spirits of demigod's character in Buddhist myths and arts of
Mathurā and Gandhara.
schools of alien and Indigenous traditions from the early first
second century CE.
Buddha's image was still symbolic and executed with
Bodhisattva's spirit of animals in Aśokan monolithic pillars for
motif of capitals. Those were exemplary by Elephant, Lotus, Bull,
Horse and Gate as for representative of the events of Nativity of
Buddha in Lumbini and his flight from Kapilavastu. These
symbolic emblems have replaced those olden statue making trends
of sovereign as Yakṣa from Parkham depicting the Kuṇika
(Ajātaśatru) but begins with spiritual motifs in Mauryan arts.
Since, Buddhist monasticism emerged after Buddha's extinction. It
departed gradually from Buddha's philosophy into the clerical
practice and laity for keeping his deliverance safe for those literally
abandoned populace to enter the order. Although, monks, nuns,
and their followers of male and females categories are measured as
the four cardinals of Buddhism, except the monastic order
remained severe enough to realize art its own tradition. Instead
they commissioned professional artisans to beautify their Stupas
of Sānc̃ ī and Bharhut in Śunga age. Thus, those remained
unchallenged master-pieces of Buddhist art through the ages.
While, some monks were skillful to make Buddha's statues in north
India and Ajanta caves and its pergolas are speculated as monastic
ateliers of anonymous artisans belonging to later Kuṣānạ and
Gupta arts. But the aesthetic vestiges of Śunga art remained
nostalgic forever in Buddhist arts. The embellishment of YakṣaYakṣiṇi prototypes of semi-nude figures in their stupas remained
evocative for aesthetic delights of Indian arts to the posterity.
Those remained idyllic for the divinity of maternity in Buddhist art
as Hāratī and Pānc̃ ika-Yakṣa to travel from Gandhara, Nepal to the
Asian island of Śrilanka. The aestheticism of semi-nudity
remained unchanged norms of divinity or celestial icon to the
posterior tradition of iconographic arts for depicting as mothergoddess of Māyādevi or Tārā. Their beautification defuses in
architectural components as struts to support the pagoda roofs with
the affluence of mythical inclusion. The semi-nudes idealism of
Yaksị nī transforms into Śālabhanj̃ ikā for protecting and consoling
the weight of structure or tree in iconic model of Mayadevi for the
depiction of Buddha's nativity, forever. It pervades the artistic
imagination for motherly nature to lean with aesthetic culture of
Hārati-Ajimā as fostering maternity 50 in Buddhist Nepal. Those
prototypes were sacredly deified as pantheon images of Aju-Ajima
by devotional aestheticism of tantricism in Nepal mandala. Early
model of Yakṣa-Yakṣiṇī sculptures were noticed from Hādigāon in
Kathmandu. Those were analogous to the minder icons of
Buddhism, which gradually transformed into Demi-god's spirit in
iconographic arts of tantra viz., as the rudiments of Bhairava and
Kālī.
Northern schools of Śunga–Kuṣānạ and Gupta arts of Mathura
were gradually stylized by symbolic experiments for Buddha's
character to achieve the humanoid idealism. Gandhara art
experiments Buddha icons with the prototype of Sage
(Parivrājaka) and Bodhisattvas (Rājaṣī-Bheṣa) in majestic
pretext. The category of Mathurā and Sārnath arts were homegrown whereas Gandhara arts of Indian north-western frontier,
Pakistan and Afghanistan, were fashioned in alien Indo-Greek
(Hellenism) trends and attitude. The Amravati school of
Nagarjunakonda however, exhibits the magnificence of Vengi
works, inscribed in Bhatti-pollu script, the third phase of Aśokan
Dhamma (Brāhmī) script, to transpire with iconographic
dedication of Pādukā worship. The remnants and archaeological
vestiges of Amaravati stupas and monasteries revealed with
symbolic representation of Buddhist arts as depicted in
architectural embodiments with the symbols of eight-spooked
wheel (Dhamma-cakra) and Swastika motifs, once those motifs
were popular imprints made on rectangle coins with Punch-marks
from Buddhist age in north India. Lotus and creeper symbols
remained nostalgic of this region for depiction of Buddha's
perfection and as pedestal to his foot-print mark, which insinuated
with the veneration of the iconic form of Buddha in future. The
figure of Buddha that appeared from this region of subsequent age
goes with the aesthetic norm of Northern Srilankan sentiments to
fit as their prototypes for the colossal images of Buddha and his
Sangha, fellow monks. It inspired the early Sinhalese sacred
architectural edifices for the embellishment with Buddhist
spiritual tang under which they developed with their own in future.
Those Indian motifs were gradually filtered with their indigenous
additions of symbols and titivation of islander's aesthetic as
Michael Ridley rightly observes, these Indian sculptural and
architectural ideas which penetrated the island were slightly
modified and re-exported51. The Sculptural affinity of Amravati
apparently reveals the cultural and aesthetic affinities with the late
Andhra to configure with the earliest Buddha icon from the second
to third century CE that lasted until thirteenth century CE. Its initial
period goes contemporaneous with the Jayavermma's statue in
Nepal. Srilanakan art of Anuradhapura, the first capital, was incur
by Tamils of South India in eighth century and Polonnaruwa, the
second capital by the thirteenth century. However, Buddhist art of
Therevada spirit remained vibrant and enliven with the cultural
intact of philosophical and artistic perfection of the classical age of
Srilanka.
Kashmir Buddhism met Kaniska (c.78-101CE) to admit householders' dedication for the excellent practice of perfection (UpāyaKauśalya). It was incorporated by indigenous spirit to space out
with the Indo-Bactrian Hellenistic art of Gandhara from Mathura
arts in Northern India. Those early practices of Mauryan and
Śungas were discriminated by Hellenistic sentiments of Grecoroman arts of northwestern regions includes Pakistan and
Afghanistan. Nepal was serenely observing the pre-Kusānạ norm
of Yakṣa-Yakṣiṇī cult of Mathura art style for executing the Hāratī
(Śitalā) in stones. Its aestheticism was naive to ingenious influence
of Hellenistic idealism. The grey-sandstone torso of YakṣaBodhisattva from Hādigāon, now preserved in National Museum
of Kathmandu, suggests the unscathed serenity of sentinel image
of the pre-Licchavī valley. This Bodhisattva prototype crucially
identifies the majestic effigy of Jayavermma (dated 185 CE) as
idyllic king's portrait bent in Yakṣa-Bodhisattva's minder
optimism. Yakṣa as the Buddhist guardian is trendy from Hindu
However, Mathura style remains trendy as sheer works in Nepal
that was apparent as the southern trend to Srilankan Island arts.
Buddhism of Srilanka is as old as Aśokan legend of Nepal, in
promotion of the mission headed by his own son Mahinda during
the reign of Devanapiya Tissa (c. 247-207 BC). He converts the
48
49
50
51
65
Michael Ridley.The Art of World Religion: Buddhism.(New Delhi: Heritage
Publisher,1978),P.53.
Milan Ratna Shakya, Symbolic Representation in Buddhist Art.Tri-Bodhi. Vol.3.
No.3. A Buddhist Studies Journal’s of Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu. Also vide.
(a) Ananda Kumar Coomaraswamy. Introduction to Indian Art. Reprint. (Delhi:
Munshiram Manoharlal,1969),p.27.
(b) -------,Re-print. Ed. Mulk Raj Anand,(New Delhi:Arnold Publishers,
1994),p.38.
-------, The Cultural Aestheticism of motherly Icons of Durgā in Nepal. (New Delhi:
Rupa & Co,2011) (U.P.) in Press.
M.Ridley. op.cit. (e.n.1.),p.84.
“moonstone” from the entrance of the “Queens Palace” at
Anuradhapura circa seventh century can be compared with the
nimbus of Sarnath Buddha. Its animal decoration offers the archaic
link with Aśokan pillar motifs. This tradition was established with
symbolism and anthropomorphic depiction of Buddha's arts.
Sinhalese king into Buddhism and thereby the island. Later Theri
Sunghamitta, Mahinda's sister, brought with her a sapling of
Bodhi-tree from Bodha-Gaya, under which Sakyamuni had
obtained Enlightenment, to implant in the first capital of
Anuradhapura and established a nunnery on this island. This tree is
still alive in there, as the oldest historical tree in this world. Its
artistic representation is full of myths for illustrative arts of
Buddhist world to symbolize the enlightenment of Buddha as the
tradition of Sāncī and Amravati arts. This very tree is significant in
Buddhist art as his birth, rumination, enlightenment, first great
sermon of Dharmacakra-pravartana, and series of discourses
which were able to produce the holy scriptures of Tripitaka later,
and his great annihilation was performed under the shadow of
trees. In this regards the sapling of Bodhi-tree remains everlasting
symbol in Buddhist art world. It is said, when the original sapling
of Bodh-Gaya began to die, a sapling from Anuradhapura was
planted to insure the continence of the unbroken chain of Bodhi
tree. Another sapling of the Anuradhapura Tree has been planted at
Sarnath 52. This historic exchange has impulse with the artistic
corroboration went on significant with the symbolism of lotus as
sacred seat and pedestal of Buddha image. The moon stone of
Anuradhapura i.e., seventh century CE, gives and impression of
the Buddhist symbolic representation of Sinhalese art motifs that
links with Buddhist spirituality. The early Sinhalese architectures
were significant with the Indian prototypes with common features
of those of indo-Chinese Buddhist arts. Sinhalese sculptural
configuration of Buddha image from second to third century CE
closely affinities with the late Andhra sculptural tints of Amravati
art. Buddha's wavy drapery and scaffoldings with semi-translucent
iconic feature as prototype and the rounded and broaden nostril
with acute ear lobes that touches to the shoulder of the image
remains the distinct ethnic forte of this island imagery. The
stranding Buddha figure in bronze from Medawachchiya in
Srilanka dates back to the fourth century as contemporary of Indian
Gupta image of Sarnath, with plain drapery fixed with bodily
anatomy of Buddha which provides the impression of wet-Buddha
due to devoid of wavy lines like that of Srilanka image. This is
genuinely corroborated by Nepali Licchavī stone images of
standing Buddhas from Bangemudha and Chabahila (stolen
image) in Kathmandu dated fourth century CE.
The conformist string of missionary arts blends with iconographic
image that is noticed from the seated silver and brass image of Tara
from Kurunagala dated fifth century AD. It links with aesthetic
trends of Sigiriya fresco in styles of Ajanta from Gupta art (c.477495 AD). The 45 feet long reclined Buddha's Nirvana sculpture of
Gal-Vihara discrete with the attending 23 feet tall Ananda's image
in serene manner of execution. It differs from the similar reclined
sculpture of Kusinagara belonging to Gupta style. The former one
is more melancholic to depict the grave situation while the later
one is more mythical in approach. But, Nepal, the land of Buddha's
birth remains unoccupied by ancient Nirvana images instead the
nativity icons remains its momentous uniqueness.
Buddhist images of ancient Nepal are radically exhibiting the
eminence of Sarnath style, perhaps to tribute the birth-places of
three Buddhas, Krakuchanda, Kankamuni and Śākyamuni for their
motherland.
The meditative images of Dhyani type correspond to the late
period with dissimilar gestures (Mudrās) of Buddhas, to represent
the symbolic and spiritual embodiments (Dharmakāya) of
philosophic importance of the images. The group of five Buddha's
is distinctive as resultant of the five aggregates viz., Visualappearance (Rupa), Sensation (Vedanā), Cognition (Samjñā),
Conditioning activities (Samskāra) and Consciousness (Vijñāna).
These norms are iconize
as Vairocana, Akṣ o bhya,
Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi for meditative
Buddhas with their new symbolisms viz., Lion, Elephant, Horse,
Peacock and Garuḍa, as vehicle motifs in art forms. These
elements were philosophically corresponds to five perfect
wisdoms viz., Idealism (Ādarśa), Pure-conscience (ŚubiśuddhaDharmadhātu), Equity (Samatā), Reflective (Pratyavesḳaṇa) and
Action (Krityā-nusthāna). These are also symbolizing at the
liturgical motifs in arts viz., a disc (Cakra), Vajra, bunch of jewels
(Ratna), lotus (Padma) and double-vehicles Vajra (Visvavajra).
Likewise, these five consciousnesses are geometrically
transforming into circular, void shape of a point, a square, a
triangle and the half-circular form of “D” shape. These forms are
emblematic for geomorphic visualization of the Water, the Ether,
the Earth, the Fire and the Air in the Mandala arts of Tantra.
The comparative study of the Medawachchiya and Sarnath images
produce the aesthetic and iconic ambiance of protective pose
(Abhaya) in hand gesture, while the stance of Kathmandu images
are somewhat tribhanga in footing with stretching arm down to
reveal the boon-bestowing (Varada) pose. But the upward bended
left hands of these images are analogously holds the folding of his
clothing.
The classical stone images of second to sixth century AD are fairly
transpired with such aesthetic prototypes of Gupta flair. Both
signify the Indian influences that lasted until the eleventh century.
Their aestheticism was spirited with the philosophy of early
Buddhism and Mahayanic teachings of Wisdom (Mañjuśrī) and
Compassion (Avalokiteśvara's) in iconographic arts.
The evolution of Vajrayanic arts was ripened with iconographic
devotions of late Guptas to the early-medieval Nepal through
Nalanda. The early schools of Mathura and Sarnath were shifted in
Magadha and Bengal to embellish with Tantric norms of intrinsic
arts. Thence, those cultural icons blend with liturgy to embody as
Mandalic circuits for iconic and symbolic cosmos. The explicit
rules imposed then by the tantric texts were practiced in arts
(Sādhanā). Hence, those works were inculcated by ritualistic
practice of Duty (Kriyā), Devotional trials (Caryā), Rumination
(Yoga), Esoteric practice (Anuttara-yoga) and the extreme practice
(Ati-yoga) to attain the state of god-realization through the severe
rumination (Samādhī). Accordingly, divine icons, were tuned with
dances (Caryā) to proceed with rituals of singing mystic songs of
sonata (Dohā) to embrace the esoteric Yoga as the part of
tantricism. It was made-up with the primordial icons of Buddha
fashioned in Mathura idealism. Thus, those tantric icons were
virtual as transportable (Cala), fixed (Acala), and movableunmovable (Calācala) in aesthetic practice of divinity culture.
In Srilanka, Theravada remains significant as vibrant and living
religion; though its classical age belongs to the Anuradhapura
period of second to sixth century AD. Likewise, Nepalese
classicism was simultaneous from the Licchavī's fifth to the eight
century AD, while, North Indian Gupta was constant from third to
sixth century AD. However, Sinhalese chronicles mentions the
earliest Buddha figures owes their brainwave to Mathura rather
than Amravati Schooling of India. The comparison of Sinhalese
with Amaravati Buddha reveals the statuesque style, though
Anuradhapuram work offers the hieratic notion of eminence with
massive proportions in rigid pose of Mathuran master-pieces. The
52
66
Ibid.p.82.
the Buddhist ritual but significantly blending with the Śākta trend
of Aṣṭamārtrikā-gana
̣ in Kathmandu. The icon of Kumārī is set
with a peacock as her vehicle that also reveals the celestial state of
virginity. Her arms gesticulates the voidness as essence (Vindupātra-mudrā) to attribute sword (Khadga) and shield (Khetaka).
Kumārī is the feminine aspect of Kumāra, the Hindu war-god,
trendy as principle deity of early Licchavīs from Vaiśālī and
celebrated icon of Sithi-dyoh among the Newars of this valley. This
deity is transforms into spinster as Baṭuka, for his everlasting
youthfulness. Baṭuka-Bhairava 56 is escorting Gaṇeśa57 since
medieval time in Nepal. Kumārī as living-goddess is conceived of
movable-unmovable in human form to symbolize the virginity as
living gods of Bhairava and Gaṇeśa escorts her energetic (Rajo)
spirit with pure (Sattva), and gallant (Tamo) excellence.
It was regulated by Vajrayanic tint of liturgics images for
sacraments. It gradually diffuses the exoteric norm of Mahāyānic
Bodhisattva's Wisdom and Compassion, into the esoteric pursuit
for the passion of power (Śakti). It was meant for attaining the state
of supreme–bliss through the five 'M's' i.e., Matsya (fish), Madya
(wine), Māmsa (flesh), Mudra (woman) and Maithuna
(copulation). It radically initiates the esoteric arts to visualize the
symbolism of Mantra, Mudrā and Mand
̣ ̣ala as obscure appliances
for the sacred recital of iconographic art. Thus, the fixed (Acala)
icons were enshrined as image and Yantra, in the tabulated form to
symbolize the mutable shrine. Thus, the cultural practices of
chariot-festivals (Rathayātra) became the part of iconic and living
god's adoration. It was pragmatic since the establishment of
Matsyendranāth's chariot festivals of Patan and Kathmandu as
ancient Licchavī habit handing down to the contemporary Newar
tradition.
Conclusion:
The movable installation art is exemplified by the Dipankar's
repousse image of Samay-dyoh, believed as Lāmākhwāh-Āju, the
ancestral deity to the Shakya communities of Kirtipuṇyavajradhātu-Mahāvihāra at Lagan Bahal in Kathmandu53. This
group of Shakya is legendary as linked with ancient Koliya's of
Licchavī inscription of Yengālhiti, for the reference of the city of
Daksiṇa-koliya-grāma-dranga. This group is believed as migrated
from ancient Devadaha to escape with the Shakyan massacre of
Kapilavastu caused by Bidudabha. Nepali chronicle mentions
Śākyamuni Buddha's arrival in this valley during the seventh
Kirati rule of Jitedasti 54. This could be symbolically linked with the
visit of Ananda to explore his natives of Koliyas and Shakyas
relinquished from Devadaha and Kapilavastu to ancient Nepal.
This story was mentioned by the ancient text of
Mulasarvāsthivada-Vinaya-Sangraha.
Art in Buddhism is not only profession but the medium of devotion
since its inception for depiction of Buddha image in to the idealism
of Śākyamuni's life-story, his pre-birth stories of Jataka, were
explored in to animal motifs as symbolism in arts by Asoka in third
century BC. It was Iconize later by different indigenous and alien
art schools of Mathura and Gandhara according to their cultural
spirits and aesthetic perception for illustrating the Buddha image.
This image became the role model for depicting his teaching and
philosophical embodiments of the Bodhisattva and Buddha's
imaginations. Hence, the Mahayana introduces the Bodhisattva
idealism with regal postures in arts, with admission of the Yaṣka
types. These images were incorporated with the different ethnic
identities as Gandharva, Naga, Asuras etc. Mahayana embrace
them as the guardians and the idealism of four noble sentinels were
come into light as Noble kings as protectors of the Dharma.
According to this speculation, these new flock have introduced
with cultivation of land of Kirāta, the nomadic tribe for agricultural
occupation of rice-planting. In course of time, when the early
expertise of the low-land rice farming went deficient to the valley,
by the time of Licchavī Narendradeva, he set with Buddhist priest
for Kāmarūpa of Assam to bring the advance skill of rice plantation
with the symbolic image of Padmapani into this valley. Since then,
Karuṇāmaya became the epitome of agricultural god to herald the
rain with profusion of crops for Lokanātha, as the lord of populace.
To commemorate the establishment of rice-eating culture in
ancient valley of Nepal, Buddhist annually celebrates the Pañcadāna, donation of cereals to Lord Buddha, Karunāmaya and
Dipankara images along with the Shakyas and priests for their
effort of rice making with pompous rituals in Nepal. This tradition
is still observed as the day of donations of five kinds of grains or the
pure rice viz., Puṇya-jā-dāna. It set with the new culture of Newars
for adoring with the new crop of rice, paddy and wheat offering to
Vaśundharā, as mother earth, while Hindus offer it to MahāLaksm
̣ ī for celebration of new rice. They are accustomed with the
feast of Kūchi-bhoya, meaning a measure full of beaten rice taking
during the Daśain festival. 55 As well as, Newars celebrate the New
Year during the month of October as the promising month after the
storing of new rice in the granary by worshipping the lord of
wealth, Laṣkmi along with Kuvera, the Yakṣa and goblins called
Khyāk as the sentinels.
The Licchavī art was chiefly based with mythical inheritance
which merges with the early none mythical and folk spirits into the
new trend of iconic adoration. Buddhist art was significant with the
mythical embodiment from that period for its inception from
neighboring region. However, the setting of the true religion in
Nepal is conventional as Vajrayanic effort for the establishments of
the iconographic images of tantric influence that persists as
tradition to date.
It might be one of the reasons for selection of living-goddess
Kumārī, as deity of stately plethora (Rajya-laksmī) for country's
enrichment with celebrated guardians like Gaṇeśa and Bhairava,
as living divinity chosen from the Shakya community. The
extensive research in this field will yields the stipulation of
Buddhism with its impact on ancient economy of Nepal.
The annual chariot festival of Living goddess Kumārī begins with
53
Milan Ratna Shakya. A Cultural Study of Kirtipunya-Mahavihara (Lagan Bahal ). (U.p.).
an M.A.Thesis in Nepalese, History, Culture and Archaeology submitted to T.U.
Controllers’ Office in 1987.
54
Daniel Wright. History of Nepal. (Patna: Sushil and co.1958).P.57
55
Milan Ratna Shakya. op.cit.( e.n. 3).
56
Milan Ratna Shakya. The Cult of Bhairava in Nepal. (New Delhi: Rupa & Co, 2008).
57
-----, Ganesa in Medieval Nepal. (New Delhi: Rupa & Co., 2006).
67
VIETNAMESE WOMEN AND BUDDHISM
Nguyen Ngoc Quynh
Avalokitesvaras were believed to be born in Vietnam and defended
the holy rights of nation58.
The worship of Mother Goddesses has become universally in the
Northern Buddhist temples. According to Nguyễn Duy Hinh, the
worship of Mother Goddesses orginated from Taoism and was
introduced into the country since the Lý-Trần dynasties. Now the
altar of Mother Goddesses has been intergrated into Buddhist
temples. Sometimes, the worship of Mother Goddess encroaches
Buddhism rituals 59.
Dr. (Ms.) Nguyen Ngoc Quynh
(Vietnam)
In the past, the worship of Mother Goddesses was limited in
temples and shrines. Later, the altar of Mother Goddesses has been
placed right in the front hall of Buddhist temple, or in a separated
building.
Dr. (Ms.) Nguyen Ngoc Quynh is the Deputy Head of
Buddhism Studies Division, Institute of Religious Studies of
the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. She is Master of
Arts from University of Social Sciences & Humanities and
has completed Doctorate in Philosophy (Ph.D) from Vietnam
Academy of Social Sciences, Institute of Religious studies.
She was also chosen as the excellent student in scientific
research by University of Social Sciences & Humanities and
awarded by Ministry of Education & Training of Vietnam for
excellent student in scientific research. Her research paper
also published in Journal of Historical Studies (Sept-Oct,
2003 Issue, Vol. 5, page 63-69) on the topic “The habit of
post
observance (cung hau) and setting up post
observance stela in our history.
It is necessary to mention Buddhism of the Chinese-Vietnamese
who built up temples to worship Thiên Hậu (the Heavenly Queen).
Thiên Hậu has been considered a Goddess of River or the Sea. She
has been worshipped by Chinese residents in various locations in
the South of the country.
It may be the influence of the worship of Quan Âm Nam Hải
(Avalokitesvara of the South Sea) of the Chinese that there exist
Buddhist temples in the South where a large- sized statue of
Avalokitesvara can be found. In recent years, the worship of Quán
Âm Nam Hải has occurred in Northern Buddhist temples.
1.
1-
Traces of worship of Mother goddesses in the Vietnamese
Buddhism
The gender issue and the sexual equality of Vietnamese
Buddhism
For Vietnamese women in villages as well as in cities, Buddhism is
a familiar religion. Women would come to a Buddhist temple for
religious activities or community activities. In the 1st or 15th day of a
lunar month, they would come to a Buddhist temple to take part in
the significant ceremonies.
After entering into Vietnam, Buddhism was combined with the
faith of the cult of Mother Goddesses thus the worship of
goddesses has been noticeable phenomenon in religious system of
Vietnam. Some people put that this is a feminine characteristic of
the Vietnamese Buddhism. But it can also be the combination of
Buddhism with the faith of an agricultural country under the strong
influence of matriarchy and fecundity. The agricultural goddesses
of cloud, rain, thunder and lightning were symbols of ancient
Vietnamese beliefs. In Red River Delta, when combined with
Buddhism, they became Four Dharmas (Cloud, Rain, Thunder and
Lightning). Four Dharmas were first agricultural goddesses to be
included onto the Vietnamese Buddhist pantheon.
Besides, women also have noticeable contributions to building and
repairing material facilities of Buddhism. They may contribute
money, properties or labour for Buddhist temples which is called
hậu donation. In return, their names would be craved in steles
placed in those temples and the temple or the village would take
care of their souls in the after–life. This happened since the 19th
century 60. Vietnamese women play an important role in Buddhist
activities as well as in the economic, cultural and social activities
both in villages and cities. This can be explained if wee examine
how Vietnamese women have been influenced from way of life
and daily activities of the Vietnamese people. Women are
supposed to have responsibilities to their families. When they were
young they helped their mothers to do small jobs at home. When
grown up, they have to take care of their households and educate
their children. Traditionally, Vietnamese men must have
When entering in Vietnam, the image of Avalokitesvara (Goddess
of Mercy) was totally changed into the image of a female god.
Vietnamese believe that Avalokitesvara is a benevolent goddess.
There are many types of Avalokitesvara statues in Vietnam
temples. The statues of Avalokitesvara holding a baby, called
“Quan Âm tống tử”. Another type of Avalokitesvara in Vietnam
temple is that of multi-arm Avalokitesvara called “Quan Âm chuẩn
đề - Cundi-Avalokitesvara”… In the process of historical changes
there were some Avalokitesvaras who had Vietnamese
characteristics as Pháp Vân Avalokitesvara (in the second
century); Hương Tích Avalokitesvara (in the 18th century). These
58
Giác Dũng Vietnamese Buddhism.
See Nguyễn Duy Hinh Some thinks on Buddhism in our country ( reference
materials), p18
60
See Nguyễn Ngọc Quỳnh Hậu worship and Hậu stele in our history. Religious
Studies Review, 5/ 2003 P. 63-69
59
68
responsibilities to society; they go to the army or serve as coolies.
Any man who chooses examination tries his best to pass an
examination so his family and village become famous. All family
affairs, however, depend on wives. There are Vietnamese proverbs
such as: “Children would enjoy good time at home, the olds would
enjoy good time at Buddhist temples”; “Men take pleasure in the
party in the communal house. Women take pleasure in reading
Buddhist books of praying in Buddhist temples”.
Monk Congregation has 2.954 nuns and monks. Among them there
are some ten thousands Bhiksunis. Many young nuns attend
graduate and post-graduate courses in institutes at home and
abroad. Many young nuns achieve high degrees. They have been
serving actively for the Buddhist Management Boards in cities and
local regions. They take part in many activities as information,
communication, propagation of Buddhist faith, education, rituals
and charity works.
Under the Trần dynasty, the theology of equality of women and
men was showed clearly in Khóa Hư Lục written by Trần Thái
Tông (1225- 1258): “Regardless monks or nuns who are at home or
at Buddhist temple, the importance is their heart. It is not important
if a person is male or female. Thus lagna laksana (form) is not of
concern”61.
Conclusion
Vietnamese women from regions to cities have significant
contributions to Buddhist activities. They not only play important
roles in building Buddhist facilities but also enrich all kinds of
Buddhist religious and social activities.
The equality between men and women is also showed in various
activities of the whole systme of Vietnamese Buddhism.
Vietnamese Buddhism early had its own system of Bhiksu and
Bhiksuni. This seems to be different to peoples from Tibet or
Mongolia who follow Mahayana or from Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia, and Burma who follow Theravada. In there, there are
not women who leave their home to become nuns62. If a woman
wants to become a Bhiksuni, she has to join Buddhism in other
countries. When comes back, she is not allowed to carry out any
religious rituals63.
2.
The worship of Mother Goddesses has remarkable traces in
Vietnamese Buddhism. In Vietnamese Buddhist temples, there are
statues of Goddesses as Avalokitesvara holding her baby and
Avalokitesvara of the South sea, four Dharma Goddesses of Cloud,
of Rain, of Thunder and Lightning. Interestingly, the worship of
Mother Goddesses is observable developing in Buddhist temples
at present.
The equality between men and women appeared early in the
ideology and in the organizational system of Vietnamese
Buddhism.
Famous nuns in history of Vietnamese Buddhism
Since the establishment of Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha (1981)
Vietnamese nuns have been present in the communities of Sangha.
However, they have not yet showed clearly a dynamic role within
the Sangha. On January 1st 2009 the Department of Nuns' work was
established. This important event will surely enable Vietnamese
nuns to actively and further contribute to the continual
development of the Sangha. Consequently, Vietnamese Buddhist
Sangha will develop in the spirit of truly equality and
progressiveness.
The first recorded Vietnamese woman who became a nun was Diệu
Nhân (1041- 1113). She was the eldest daughter of King Phụng
Càn. She followed Vinitaruci (a Zen sect in Vietnam). She was also
the first poetess in Vietnamese literature. In the middle of 14th
century, nun Tuệ Thông was recorded. She observed
commandments diligently and her face looked like a Arahan. In
Long Thành district (Đồng Nai province), nun Lượng built Vân
Tĩnh small pagoda for leading a religious life. But this pagoda is
now in ruin64.
Under Nguyễn regime (1558- 1802) there were many princesses
and imperial concubines who were pious Buddhist adherents.
They made significant contributions to the expansion of Buddhism
in the country. Distinguish princesses were Ngoc Tu and Ngoc
Huyen.
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Northern school of
Buddhist nuns began to develop. There appeared high nuns of
virtue such as Diên Trường, Diệu Tịnh, Diệu Không and Như
Thanh. The Mendicant Monk Congregation had famous nuns as
Huỳnh Liên, Bạch Liên, Tạng Liên. They established the
Mendicant Nun Congregation for propagation of Saddharma (the
truly Buddhist doctrine) and for saving of all sentiment beings.
Now the Mendicant Nun Congregation has some ten thousand
nuns65.
During the modern resistant wars, there had been nuns who stood
up and fought for the national liberation. Famous and influential
nuns were Huỳnh Liên and Diệu Quang in the South, Đàm Tiến,
Đàm Đang, Đàm Nghi, Đàm Luận, Đàm Đạt and Đàm Vân in the
North.
At present, in Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha, the number of nuns is
almost equal to the number of monks. There are total 44.498
monks and nuns. Northern school attracts 32.25 monks and nuns;
the Southern school has 8.919 monks and nuns; The Mendicant
61
62
63
64
65
69
See Buddhism in our time. Religion Publishing House, 2005 p. 13
See Buddhism in our time. Religion Publishing House, 2005 p. 10-15
Kristana Raksachom” The origin of Bhiksunis in Thailand”. The speech in the
Conference of World Buddhist women
See Nguyễn Hiền Đức The Buddhist history in the South
The speech in the first Conference of World Nuns
THE SYSTEM IN BUDDHISM
Ashin Pannasihalankara
hope to find any lasting happiness by means of something that is
changing, suffering results. This means that nothing in the realm of
ordinary human experience can provide lasting happiness, and
trying to force things to stand still and make us happy is itself the
main source of misery.
In Buddhism, three concepts are said to characterize all things:
· Anicca - Nothing is permanent. Everything changes.
Dr. Ashin Pannasihalankara
(Myanmar)
· Dukkha - To cling to anything or anyone, expecting it to be
enduring, whole, and a self, is to create and amplify
suffering.
Dr. Ashin Pannasihalankara is a Pro-rector at the Sitagu
International Buddhist Missionary Centre, Yangon, giving
lecture on Buddhism (vinaya, suttanta and abhidhamma) as
well as English language to the students. He also provides to
the students on-line education. At the age of 15 years, with
kind favour of Ven. Sucitta as his preceptor, he joined the
Buddhist Order Asanovice at Maharthidaryon Monastery in
Mandalay. At the age of 20, he was ordained as a monk. He
studied monastic education and received certificates of
Preliminary Level (88), Primary Level (89), Secondary Level
(92), Higher Level (93), Sasanadhaja-Dhammacariya(98),
Vinaya-vidu(93), Anguttaranikaya¬vidu(95), and
Dighanikaya-vidu (98). He did his B.A. in Buddhism from
Sitagu International Buddhist Academy(SIBA),Sagaing
Hills, Sagaing and did M.A. in Philosophy from University of
Hyderabad. He did his Ph.D from University of Pune on the
thesis entitled “TheControlling System in Buddhism (Sikkha)
based on Cannon Pali Literatures”. During his Ph.D, he also
visited U.S.A. Nashville, Tennessee, for teaching of
medication and meditation.
· Anatta (in Sanskrit anatman) - There is no separate self.
What appears separate or enduring turns out to be
changeable and composite. What we experience as
identity turns out to be a changing constellation of varying
influences.
Naturally, these concepts have been interpreted in many ways by
many thoughtful people that the ordinary self is a non-self, but we
can awake. The most pervasive form of self-centered suffering
takes place as we project upon everyday experience a huge burden
of extraneous interpretations, associations, fantasies, emotions,
painful memories, and diversions. We act then with the big three
problems: greed, aversion, and delusion. Greed sucks things in to
our purposes, violating their natures as necessary. Aversion shoves
or pushes roughly things away, denies, distorts, destroys them,
again violating their natures. In the state of delusion, we float,
confused, not seeing, not knowing, and insulated from the pain and
salvation of deep experience.
Instead of seeing each moment as it is, we react to each moment
from our past pain and frustration; then we react to the pain and
frustration; then we react to that reaction; and so on and on. In this
way a special form of mental torment is created that consists of
seemingly endless layers of pain, negative emotion, self-doubt and
self-justification.
The Buddha described his message in simple terms that life is
suffering, suffering is caused by attachment, freedom from
attachment is the cure for suffering, and the way out of suffering is
through eight pursuits; namely, right understanding, right thought,
right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right
mindfulness and right concentration.
If we could be released from attachment, we would be released
from suffering. And our primary attachment is to the concept of a
separate, isolated self from which we derive all other attachments
and experience all other sufferings.
To live is to suffer. Life is accompanied by inevitable pains,
sickness, disappointment, disillusion, decay and death. This world
we live in is characterized by inevitable and unavoidable
dissatisfaction, disappointment, rejection, failure, pain, yearning,
decrepitude, and loss. "Suffering" in Buddhism refers not only to
physical pain, aging, sickness, and death, but to emotional pain like
fear, loss, jealousy, disappointment, and unrequited love, but also
to the existential sense that, somehow, deep down, life is
permanently out of joint. Everything is touched by the shadow of
dissatisfaction, imperfection, disappointment. Suffering, in the
Buddhist sense, is a pervasive condition. No one escapes it. Even
enlightened teachers grow old, suffer the pains of decay, and die.
When we fully face, accept, and lighten the self-amplified
sufferings of our lives; when we begin to experience life beyond
our delusions and confusions, beyond self, beyond culture, beyond
knowledge - what we find is not a meaningless universe of alien
forces, but the truth of nibbana (total release of self-sustained
suffering).
When people begin to feel released from their self-sustained
sufferings, they experience life more fully; they become more
cheerful and compassionate. Enlightened people do not cease to
experience the pain of existence. They only stop creating illusions
that amplify that pain and cause new suffering. The rest of people
Suffering arises because everything changes, everything is
impermanent. Everything is in process, all the time. Whenever we
70
sikkha (wisdom). Because these three sikkhas can make free the
mind from the three levels of defilements; the level of
transgression (vitikkama kilesa) - such as killing, cheating,
stealing, robbing, engaging in sexual misbehavior, raping, causing
troubled and broken families, telling lies, back-biting, uttering
harsh words, and talking nonsense, taking intoxicants or other
kinds of harmful drugs, etc., the level of manifestation
(pariyutthana kilesa) - such as craving for others' property,
harbouring the harmful thought, holding wrong views, etc., and the
level of latent tendency (anusaya-kilesa) - greed (lobha), hatred
(dosa) and delusion (moha), lying dormant in the mental
continuum.
might try to stop making things worse than they are, to stop
creating unnecessary suffering, and, by accepting life as it is,
accept also the depth and vibrancy of experience.
The Buddha taught a method to lead away from self-sustained
suffering toward a more enlightened and compassionate life through the pursuit of morality (sila-sikkha), concentration
(samadhi-sikkha), and wisdom (panna-sikkha). Because it avoids
the two extremes: self-mortification, which is painful, unworthy
and unprofitable; and self-indulgence of sense-pleasures, which is
low, common, the way of ordinary people, unworthy and
unprofitable. This method is well-known to the world as the
"Middle Way."
Accordingly, these three systems (sikkhas) become a vital role in
Buddhism. Therefore, this paper on sikkha would throw light on
today-modern world which is full of stress and full of complicated
problems and also could show the aim of life of a person, which is
the highest and lasting peace of nibbana, which is free from all
defilements.
The sila-sikkha (morality) is founded on three pursuits of right
speech, right action and right livelihood, and samadhi-sikkha
(concentration) is on the other three pursuits of right effort, right
mindfulness and right concentration, and panna-sikkha (wisdom)
is on the last two pursuits of right understanding and right thought.
To achieve the supreme result which is nibbana, mind
development is necessary to be completely done through silasikkha (morality), samadhi-sikkha (concentration) and panna-
71
CULTURAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN
ANCIENT INDIA & SRI LANKA
Mahinda Somathilake
descriptions given in these literary sources and sometimes even in
the epigraphical evidence too. It is to be noted at this point that
these literal interpretations of early texts were compiled centuries
after the events they report and personal memory has difficulty
with intervals of time and the sequence of happenings.71
It is an accepted fact that geologically and palaeoecologically the
island of Sri Lanka is essentially a detached piece of the Deccan,
the Jaffna peninsula of northern part of the island lying within
twenty miles of Cape Cormorin across the shallow Palk Strait. This
is particularly evident by the fact that the Sri Lankan island of
Mannar off the northwest coast almost joins the mainland by a
chain of sandy islets of Adam's bridge.66 In addition, the occurrence
of submerged river channels, cutting across the continental shelf
which separates north-west Sri Lanka from India, when considered
in conjunction with the close similarity between the fresh water
fish of the two countries also suggests that the island had been
connected to India probably in Holocene times.67 The faunal
evidence including both extinct and present-day animal species as
well as evidence from geology of both Sri Lanka and India on the
other hand suggests that the island was first separated from India
during the Miocene epoch.68 This happened in the very early
period69 that has been termed the Ratnapura phase in Sri Lankan
prehistory and was probably contemporary with one or more of the
Himalayan glaciations, which were in all probability,
accompanied by a general drop in temperature and of the mean sea
level. Hence, most probably this first separation occurred in the
Miocene when the sea invaded the mainland between the regions
of present-day Madras and Puttalam, thus severing the southeast
extremity of the peninsula and making of it a continental island70.
This disjunction was in fact momentary because of land fluctuation
that was the primary influential factor in the geography of the
region.
Nevertheless, it should also not be forgotten that a chronologically
detailed and coherent history of cultural interactions of the two
countries cannot be presented with the help of archaeological
evidence alone. Hence, a synthesis of both the literary and
archaeological sources is being attempted. In contrast, it is
significant that not only the descriptions given in the ancient
literary works but also in recent scholarly interpretations, the
cultural relations between the two countries have often been
presented as an one way movement in the direction of Sri Lanka72.
On the contrary, quite a different picture has been demonstrated by
the recent archaeological findings. Therefore, it is appropriate to
However, given this geographical proximity of Sri Lanka and India
and their long historical association, cultural links are in the natural
order of things. This is evident by the fact that any major upheaval
in India, whether political, religious or cultural was bound to
generate repercussions in Sri Lanka eventually. Consequently, it is
obvious that Sri Lanka is both an island and a part of the Indian subcontinent. The interplay of these two factors has been important in
forming its character. Therefore, scholars of history, culture, art,
religion, language and human biology of the island are frequently
asked to assess the nature and extent of bio cultural relationships
between Sri Lanka's ancient and modern peoples and their
contemporaries in India. Unfortunately, both these questions and
their answers have been interpreted in the light of political
theories, nationalism and an ethnocentric basis, even sometimes
by persons belonging to the academic and research oriented
disciplines.
It is hence apparent that there has been a great deal of historical
writing on the subject of Indo-Sri Lankan relationship in the
ancient period. But, it is significant that a majority of scholars have
emphasised Indian political impact on Sri Lanka, while some have
focused attention on the cultural relations of the two countries. In
almost all these writings, relevant details on the subject,
particularly on the cultural relations of the two countries, have
been discussed according to information obtained from the ancient
Sri Lankan and Indian literary texts and very little attention has
been given to the archaeological evidence, especially that revealed
by recent archaeological excavations. It is obvious that the story is
incomplete without focus on the evidence revealed by such
excavations, since there are many apparent imperfections in the
66
Kenneth AR Kennedy, “Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A
cross-regional survey,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake
Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology,
University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.29.
67
S Deraniyagala, “Prehistoric Ceylon: A summary in 1968,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.1,
January 1971, p.23.
68
HS Gunaratna, Rocks and minerals of Ceylon, The Department of National Museums,
Colombo, 1967, pp.2-3.
69
The faunal evidence suggests that this last separation had occurred about 25,000 years
ago. Ibid, pp.2-3.
70
Kenneth AR Kennedy, “Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A
cross-regional survey,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake
Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology,
University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.29.
72
explanations, probably the most fascinating interpretation is that
there is no doubt that technologically the Mesolithic assemblages
date back at least to ca. 28,500 BP in the island although the date of
original settlement is unknown83. But, it is interesting to note that
quite a different story is told in the ancient literary sources of Sri
Lanka. These suggest that the earliest habitation of the island was
at Anuradhapura in the dry zone, under the leadership of Vijaya, a
North Indian prince and his followers somewhere in the sixth
century BC as will be discussed later. Hence, at this point it is
necessary to examine the chronology and the specific features of
the early habitations of Anuradhapura region (certainly, where the
earliest centre of power of the island was) as revealed by the recent
archaeological explorations.
start this analysis with an introduction of early historical settings of
the island, as revealed by recent archaeological excavations.
Prehistoric Period:
Apart from the various interpretations of historians, archaeologists
and anthropologists on ancient Sri Lanka, it is evident that recent
archaeological excavations in the island have provided a reliable
radiometric chronology of the prehistoric age of the country based
on several radiocarbon dates on charcoal from the caves of FaHien, Kitulgala, and Batadombalena all in the lowland or wet zone.
Of these, the Fa-Hien cave has yielded a series of three dates ca.
34,000-31,000 BP; and another three for the upper contexts ca
7900-5400 BP73. Human remains were found at least in the context
dated to ca. 31,000 BP and could well represent one of the earliest
assemblages of anatomically modern man known to science74.
Interestingly enough archaeologists suggest that about six or seven
thousand years ago Anuradhapura was inhabited by Mesolithic
Balangoda man, the ancestor of the present day Vedda aborigine, 84
instead of this so-called first Indian colonisation of the island in the
sixth century BC. This has been confirmed by the fact that the
artefacts from phase one of Gedige of the citadel of Anuradhapura
are assignable to the Mesolithic Balangoda culture, which has been
dated to ca. 4500 BC85. In addition, it is noteworthy that according
to Deraniyagala's interpretation, the periodisation of history of
Anuradhapura region and the conspicuous characteristics based on
calibrated dates obtained from the five sites of Gedige (1986)
Dingiribandagewatta (1987/88) Salgahawatta (1988) Mahapali
Hall (1988) and Sanghamitta Mawata (1989)86, all located in the
ancient citadel of Anuradhapura is as follows:
The Kitulgala Belilena comprises 25 dates, from older than 27,000
upto ca. 3400 BP75. It was reported that an excellent series of
human skeletal remains was found from there dated to ca. 13,000
BP76. Batadombalena has provided a series of ten dates from ca.
28,500 to 12,500 BP for the earlier range at Kitulgala77. The
occurrence of bone points throughout the sequence is noteworthy
and the beads (on shell) from ca. 28,500-16,000 BP constitute
some of the earliest specimens of bone points and beads known
from anywhere in the world 78. Besides, a very satisfactory sample
of human remains was also found in the cave and one assemblagedated ca. 28,500 BP represents the oldest anatomically modern
humans (Homo Sapiens) known from south Asia.80 In addition, in
the lower most levels of the caves were found geometric
microliths, the earliest occurrence of this type of tools in south
Asia. Interestingly enough in India, charcoal from microlithiferous
deposits has yielded a radiocarbon date of 10,645-9654 years BP at
Baghor II in the Son valley of north-central India,81 though Todd
had recognised the similarity of Sri Lankan microliths to those of
peninsular India nearly fifty years ago. 82
The earliest phase: Ca. 3900 BC, Mesolithic with geometric
microliths87; in certain respects, the Sri Lankan Mesolithic was
comparatively more highly developed than its mainland
counterparts and Allchin interprets this as evidence of a long
period of relatively uninterrupted cultural development.88
However, the absence of rapid cultural modifications taking place
in Sri Lanka, as was the case in South India after 2,500 BC, till the
fifth century BC, led many scholars writing in the 40s and 50s to
regard the island as a cultural backwater whose inhabitants lacked
initiative in cultural progress because of withdrawal of
competitive factors.89
The second period: Undated Mesolithic and Iron age transition 90;
it is noteworthy since the stone tools found in association with Iron
In contrast, it is clear that all these three caves of Fa-hien, Kitulgala
and Batadombalena are exceptional in south Asia in having yielded
large quantities of organic remains from the upper Pleistocene and
much can be expected from their interpretation. Of such
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
Diane E Greenway, “Dates in history: Chronology and memory,” Historical research,
Vol.LXXII, No 178, June 1999, pp.127-139.
See W.H. Siddiqui, “Some aspects of architecture in South Asia,” Cultural interactions
in South Asia: A historical perspective, ed., S.A.I Tirmizi, Hamdard Institute of
Historical Research, New Delhi, 1993, p.57.
S. Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, 1990, p.215; “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Perspectives in
archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others,
Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.3; Kenneth KR
Kennedy and Joanne L Zahorsky, “Trends in prehistoric technology and biological
adaptations: New evidence from Pleistocene deposits at Fahien cave, Sri Lanka,” South
Asian Archaeology 1995, Proceedings of the 13th conference of the European
Association of South Asian Archaeologists, Cambridge 5-9 July 1995, ed. Raymond
Allchin and Bridget Allchin, The ancient India and Iran trust, Cambridge, Oxford, IBH
Publishing co, New Delhi, Vol.II, 1997, pp.839-840.
KAR. Kennedy, SU Deraniyagala W.J. Roertjen, J. Chiment and T.Disotell, “Upper
Pleistocene fossil hominids from Sri Lanka,” American Journal of Physical
Anthropology, Vol.LXXII, 1987, pp. 441- 461; See also KAR. Kennedy and SU
Deraniyagala, “Fossil remains of 28000-year-old hominids from Sri Lanka,” Current
Anthropology, Vol.XXX, No.3, 1989, pp.394-8; Kenneth KR Kennedy and Joanne L
Zahorsky, “Trends in prehistoric technology and biological adaptations: New evidence
from Pleistocene deposits at Fahien cave, Sri Lanka,” South Asian Archaeology 1995,
Proceedings of the 13th conference of the European Association of South Asian
Archaeologists, Cambridge 5-9 July 1995, ed. Raymond Allchin and Bridget Allchin,
The ancient India and Iran trust, Cambridge, Oxford, IBH Publishing co, New Delhi,
Vol.II, 1997, p.840.
S. Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, p.215.
KAR. Kennedy, T. Disotell, W.J. Robertjen, J. Chiment and J Sherry, “Biological
anthropology of upper Pleistocene hominids from Sri Lanka: Batadombalena and
Belilena caves,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI, pp.67-168; KAR. Kennedy, SU Deraniyagala
W.J. Roertjen, J. Chiment and T. Disotell, “Upper Pleistocene fossil hominids from Sri
Lanka,” American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Vol.LXXII, 1987, pp.441- 461.
See Kenneth KR Kennedy and Joanne L Zahorsky, “Trends in prehistoric technology
and biological adaptations: New evidence from Pleistocene deposits at Fahien cave, Sri
Lanka,” South Asian Archaeology 1995, Proceedings of the 13th conference of the
European Association of South Asian Archaeologists, Cambridge 5-9 July 1995, ed.
Raymond Allchin and Bridget Allchin, The ancient India and Iran trust, Cambridge,
Oxford, IBH Publishing co, New Delhi, Vol.II, 1997, p.840.
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
73
S. Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, p.215.
KAR. Kennedy and S. Deraniyagala, “Fossil remains of 28,000-year old hominids from
Sri Lanka,” Current Anthropology, Vol.XXX, No.3, 1989, pp.394-399.
SU Deraniyagala, “Mesolithic stone tool technology at 28000 BC in Sri Lanka,” Ancient
Ceylon, Vol.V, pp.105-108.
Kenneth AR Kennedy, “Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A crossregional survey,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990,
ed. S. Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya,
1990, p.30.
KRU Todd, “A Microlithic industry in eastern Mysore,” Man, Vol. XLVIII, 1948, pp.2830.
SU Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, 1990, pp.215-216; “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Perspectives in
archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others,
Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.3.
S Deraniyagala, “The citadel of Anuradhapura 1969: Excavation in the Gedige area,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.II, 1972, p.50.
Ibid, p.159. In fact, the Balangoda culture comprises the Mesolithic and Neolithic phases
of Sri Lanka’s stone age. The two C14 dates obtained for the culture are suggesting that
Balangoda man had survived well into the historic period, which commenced ca. 500
BC. S Deraniyagala, “Prehistoric Ceylon: A summary in 1968,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.1,
January 1971, p.25.
S. Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, 1990, p.215; “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Perspectives in
archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others,
Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.20; S. Deraniyagala,
“The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon,
1990, Appendix, p.276.
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, pp.268-9. The most recent date available is for the site of
Matota at ca. 1800 BC. Ibid, p.252.
B Allchin, “The late stone age of Ceylon,” Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute,
Vol.LXXXVIII, No.2, 1959, p.201.
PEP Deraniyagala, “The stone age and cave men of Ceylon,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic
Society (Ceylon Branch), Vol.XXXIV, No.92, 1940, p.361; MR Sahni, Man in
evolution, Oriental Longmans, Calcutta, 1952, p.185; 1956, p.48.
Age burials at Pomparippu have been interpreted as being in
secondary contexts91. The suppression of stone tool technology
with that of iron appears to have been a rapid process, thereby
leaving few discernible vestiges of this transition in the
archaeological record. 92
Anuradhapura. Coins also tended to be rather numerous in this era.
In addition, this upper early historic period indicates the use of Red
Polished Ware, Sassanian blue glazed roof-tiles and evidence of
trans-oceanic contact as in frequent finds of Roman and IndoRoman coins.99
The third period: Protohistoric Iron Age ca. 900–600 BC; is
distinguished by the appearance of iron technology, wheel made
pottery, horse and domestic cattle and paddy cultivation.93 It is
interesting to note that the excavations in the citadel of
Anuradhapura since 1984 have vindicated the assertion that there
was indeed a town, if not a city, in Anuradhapura by 700-600 BC
during the protohistoric Iron Age. The sondages have revealed
substantive evidence of an area of at least fifty hectares being
encompassed by the citadel at this date.94
The eighth period: Middle historical ca. 300-1250 witnessed the
commencement of the final devolution of the civilisation of
ancient Sri Lanka.100
In contrast, it is clear that particularly Sri Lanka's prehistory, most
recently investigated in comprehensive studies, differs
significantly from that of the heartlands of continental Asia. For
instance, Sri Lankan archaeological record shows no evidence of
occupation by early man or other hominids from a period earlier
than the late Pleistocene and lacks the typical chopper or hand-axe
cultures associated with earlier phases of the prehistory of the
subcontinent. Similarly, in later phases, Sri Lanka shows no clear
indication at present of a pre-iron age development of agriculture
or of the existence of a specific stone tool assemblage associated
with such a transition. Instead, we find an apparently rapid and
scarcely investigated transition from a monolithic or late stone age
hunter-gatherer culture to iron age farming, with no intervening
stage of 'Neolithic' 'Chalcolithic 'or 'Bronze age' developments.101
The fourth period: The dawn of the historical period ca. 600-500
BC was marked by the use of an early Brahmi script in
Anuradhapura region, which will be discussed later in detail. In
addition, two ceramic traits also occur for the first time.
Consequently, it is hypothesised that the occurrence of the Brahmi
script and these ceramic traits are linked in some manner to a
nonessential cultural impulse which reached the island during this
period and it is tempting to see a connection with the legend of
Vijaya or the so-called first colonisation of the island, an event
attributed to the sixth century BC. 95
Nevertheless, it is obvious that conventional historical writing has
often asserted that the initial colonisation of Sri Lanka by civilised
man was effected by Aryan speakers from Northern India and that
contact was subsequently established with the south 102 somewhere
in the sixth century BC, which will be discussed later in detail. But,
the archaeological evidence presented above clearly indicates that
this was not the case and these stories of first colonisation of the
island provide us with a series of problems arising from their
interpretation for historical and archaeological works though it is
obvious that the archaeological record so far throws very little light
on these processes. According to these investigations, it is
however, certain that human habitation in Sri Lanka dates to at
least 31,000 BP with increasing evidence of internal complexity
and cultural developments. In addition, the data obtained from
pioneering excavations such as those at the Anuradhapura
Gedige103, Kantarodei104 and Pomparippu 105 and research on the
megalithic burial complexes106 and pottery sequences of the
protohistoric and early historic period107, give us an insight into
similarities and differences between the Sri Lankan and the
The fifth period: Lower early historic ca.500-250 BC; No
specimens of scripts have been recorded from this period at any
site of Anuradhapura, though the Brahmi script found on a seal at
Anaikkoddai could be of this period.96 Nevertheless, contact with
the Ganga valley is evidenced by the occurrence of Northern Black
Polished ware in this period. Although the cultural interactions of
the two regions are not obvious, it is to be noted that the early
historic sites in Southern India have radiocarbon dates which fall
within the range of this period at Anuradhapura: e.g. Kanchipuram
at ca. 500 BC and Amaravati at 400 BC.97
The sixth period: Mid early historical period ca. 250 BC to 100
AD: Historically this period is relatively well documented both by
literary and epigraphical records with extensive evidence of close
cultural interaction with the Mauryan Empire.98
The seventh period: Upper early historic age ca. 100-300 AD was
when burnt brick achieved prominence, at least in the citadel of
97
90
S. Senaviratna, “The archaeology of the megalithic black and red ware complex in Sri
Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.V, 1984, pp.237-303.
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, pp.257-258. It is noteworthy that the chronology of
Anuradhapura that has been calculated by Deraniyagala himself particularly based on the
information revealed by the excavation of Gedige site of Anuradhapura is somewhat
different. Accordingly, ca. 3900 BC Mesolithic period, ca. 800-500 BC. Protohistoric
Iron Age period, ca. 500 BC transition between the prehistoric Iron Age and the lower
early historic period. Ca. 500-250 BC lower early historic period and ca. 250 BC-100 AD
mid early historic period. See SU Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri
Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI, No.12, 1990, p.215; “The prehistoric chronology of Sri
Lanka,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S.
Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990,
p.15.
99
SU Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, pp.740-741;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.150-151.
100
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, pp.258-259.
101
Senaka Bandaranayake, “The periodisation of Sri Lankan history and some related
historical and archaeological problems,” Asian panorama: Essays in Asian history, past
and present, ed. KM De Silva and others, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990, p.9.
102
S Paranavitana, “Aryan settlements: The Sinhalese,” University of Ceylon History of
Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959,
pp.82-97; CW Nicholas and S Paranavitana, A concise history of Ceylon, Ceylon
University Press, Colombo, 1961, p.22.
103
SU Deraniyagala, “The citadel of Anuradhapura 1969: Excavation in the Gedige area,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.II, 1972, pp.48-169.
104
V Begley, “Archaeological exploration in northern Ceylon,” Expedition, Vol.IX, No.4,
1969, pp.20-29; “Prehistoric material from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Indian contacts,”
Ecological backgrounds of South Asian prehistory, ed. KAR Kennedy and GL Posehl,
Cornell University South Asia Programme, 1976, pp.191-196.
SU Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, pp.740-741;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.150-151.
91
VJR. Begley, Lukacs and KAR Kennedy, “Excavations of iron age burials at
Pomparippu,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.IV, 1981,pp.51-132.
92
S. Deraniyagala, “The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI,
No.12, 1990, p.253.
93
SU Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.744;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171; “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology
of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, pp.253-254.
94
SU Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.744;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171. See also S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic
radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, p.260; “The
prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VI, No.12, 1990, p.215;
“The prehistoric chronology of Sri Lanka,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda
Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others, Department of
Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990, p.20.
95
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, pp.255-6; The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.744;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171.
96
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, pp.256-7; The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.744;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient Ceylon,
Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171.
98
74
adhere to the forms and shapes of the early Iron Age ware in
Peninsular India, though the quality of production and the range of
the Megalithic ware in Sri Lanka cannot parallel the standard of its
counterpart in the peninsula. 116
subcontinental developments, in the second half of the first
millennium BC, though these do not go very far in solving the
major problems of Sri Lankan protohistory.
However, it is to be admitted at this point that if the early man of the
island originally migrated from India, then it is natural to expect
contemporaneous Indian and Sri Lanka prehistoric people to
possess striking points of similarity. Interestingly enough, it
becomes immediately apparent to any researcher of the Mesolithic
and Iron Age archaeology of Sri Lanka and peninsular India that
similarities in form and function of tool manufacture are shared
across the region108. The same degree of similarity is reflected in the
ceramic artefacts of the megalithic and early historic periods, a
black and red ware being predominant in association with
megalithic deposits in both countries. 109
Thus, it is evident that as far as megalith burials of peninsular India
and Sri Lanka are concerned, these seem to belong to a common
cultural tradition, sharing almost all the cultural traits including the
chronological span. 117 Due to all these facts, it is presumed that the
megalithic monuments of Sri Lanka can be understood only in the
light of their archaeological parallels on the Indian mainland since
a single megalithic zone is apparent to many scholars.118
Consequently, some scholars have suggested that it is fairly certain
that the burial culture of northwest Sri Lanka received its impetus
from the urn-cairn burial complex in the Vaigai-Tambapanni plains
of South India and it is also quite likely that the cist burials in north
central Sri Lanka may have received its impetus from the primary
cist burial complex extending from Pudukkotai in Tamilnadu to the
Chittor area in south Andhra Pradesh. 119
Nevertheless, it is to be noted that particularly the megalithic burial
complex and the Iron Age cannot be separated in the context of
peninsular India. In fact, most of our knowledge about the Iron Age
comes from burial sites.110 The dating of the Iron Age also hinges
upon the dating of the burial complex, which is quite widespread
over south India. However, a recent study, which has evaluated
carefully all the accumulated evidence, puts the beginning of the
Megalithic culture to c 1200 BC and the terminal date around 300
BC after which there occurs the Brahmi writing111. But, it is
noteworthy that in most of the sites, potsherds with Brahmi writing
appear very early in the cultural deposits, if not from the beginning
itself. In addition it is evident that the Tamil literature of early
centuries AD is also quite familiar with the megalithic and urn
burials112. These facts obviously raise a problem regarding the
dating of the megalithic burials.113
Accordingly, the most pertinent question to raise at this point is are
the Iron Age people of the island indigenous or are they derived
primarily from iron using people coming from the mainland of
India. Besides the remains of material culture of the period, the
information revealed by the investigations on the skeletal remains
at Pomparippu and Bellanbandipalassa is also very important in
this regard, since it has been revealed that the Iron Age people of
Pomparippu of Sri Lanka possessed some biological features
establishing their probable affinities to south Indian community.120
Similarly, some level of biological affinity between the Stone Age
people of Bellanbandipalassa and the Iron Age people under
consideration is especially noted with respect to genetically
determined morphological traits.121 But, it should also not be
forgotten that in comparing the skeletal remains of Balangoda man
with those of people of Sinhalese, Tamil and Vedda descent, as well
as with a number of specimens from India, namely tribal, rural and
urban populations, it becomes apparent that most of the biological
similarities that were found in the prehistoric Bellanbandipalassa
specimens occurred in highest frequency among the tribal people
of the island the Veddas.122
However, it is evident that the Prakrit names, though not many,
have parallels in Sri Lankan rock inscriptions of the contemporary
centuries. Hence, some have concluded that this would suggest
that Kodumanal, an active industrial settlement for semi-precious
stone bead making and also for iron working was involved in long
distance trade.114 Interestingly enough some archaeologists have
also suggested that most of the beads found at the megalithic sites
like Ibbankatuva of Sri Lanka (ca. 770-350 BC) were imported
from India.115 In addition, it is believed that the Pomparippu burial
ware and the ceramics of Gedige of Anuradhapura generally
However, according to all these evidences it is certain that some of
105
for the study of history and archaeology, Third session, Calcutta, February 26-28,
1999, p.5.
Ibid, p.7.
115
Osmund Bopearchchi, “Seafaring in the Indian ocean: Archaeological evidence from Sri
Lanka,” Tradition and Archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean,
Proceedings of the International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of
seafaring in the Indian ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles,
Manohar Publishers and Distributors, 1996, pp.59-77.
116
S Deraniyagala, “The citadel of Anuradhapura 1969: Excavation in the Gedige area,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.II, 1972, pp.120-122 and V Begley, “Excavations of Iron Age
burials at Pomparippu 1970,” Ancient Ceylon, No.4, 1981, p.85.
117
BK. Thapar, “Archaeology of South Asia: A perspective in interrelationship,” Cultural
interaction in South Asia: A historical perspective, ed. SAI Tirmizi, Hamdard Institute
of Historical Research, New Delhi, 1993, p.1; Kenneth AR Kennedy,
“Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A cross-regional survey,”
Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S.
Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990,
p.34.
118
KAR Kennedy, The physical anthropology of the megalith-builders of south India and
Sri Lanka, Australian National Museum, Canberra, 1975; Kenneth AR Kennedy,
“Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A cross-regional survey,”
Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S.
Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990,
p.34; SK Sitrampalam, “Survey of pre-and protohistory in Sri Lanka,” Bulletin of the
Deccan College Postgraduate and Research Institute, Vol.XLVI, 1987, pp.137-149; RL
Kirk, “The legend of prince Vijaya - a study of Sinhalese origins,” American Journal
of Physical Anthropology, Vol.XLV, 1976, pp.91-100; GC Mendis, “The Vijaya
legend,” Paranavitana felicitation volume, ed. NA Jayawickrama, Colombo, 1965,
pp.263-279.
119
Sudarshan Seanaviratna, “The archaeology of the megalithic-black and red ware complex
in Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, No.5, 1984, pp.282-3.
120
JR Lukacs and AR Kennedy, “Biological anthropology of human remains from
Pomparippu,” Ancient Ceylon, No. IV, 1981, pp.106-107.
121
Ibid, pp.106-107.
122
KAR Kennedy, “Human skeletal material from Ceylon, with an analysis of the island’s
prehistoric and contemporary populations,” British Museum Geological
(Palaeontological) Series, Vol.II, No.4, 1965; S Deraniyagala and KAR Kennedy,
“Bellanbandipalassa 1970: A Mesolithic burial site in Ceylon,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.II,
1972, p.44.
V Begley, JR Lukacs and KAR Kennedy, “Excavations of Iron Age burials at
Pomparippu 1970,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.IV, 1981.
Though etymologically the word Megalithic is composed of two Greek words Megathos,
meaning huge and Lithoi meaning stone, neither all megaliths are built of huge stones;
nor can all structures built of enormous-sized stones be called megalith. Megaliths are
indeed built of stones, but their prime characteristic is that they are sepulchral in
nature. See KR Srinivasan and NR Banerjee, “Survey of south Indian Megaliths,”
Ancient India, No.9, Special Jubilee Number, 1953, p.108. It is noteworthy that though
the megaliths do not follow the same pattern even at the same site and are marked by
structural differences, they have definite common features, which make all of them
representative of one common culture, i.e. the megalithic culture. The common
features consists of the use of iron implements, which at least at one site, viz.
Brahmagiri in India, was an intrusion into the earlier stone axe culture which it
ultimately supplanted, the wheel-turned black and red ware and post-excarnation
fragmentary and collective burials. Ibid, p.115.
107
Sudarshan Senaviratna, “The archaeology of the megalithic black and red ware complex
in Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.V, 1984, pp.237-307.
108
ND Wijesekara, “Prehistoric age,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray
and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.79; Kenneth AR
Kennedy, “Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A cross-regional
survey,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift 1990, ed. S.
Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya, 1990,
p.34.
109
V Begley, “Prehistoric material from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Indian contacts,”
Ecological backgrounds of South Asian prehistory, ed. KAR Kennedy and GL Posehl,
Cornell University South Asia Programme, 1976, pp.191-196; P Ragupathy, Early
settlements in Jaffna; An archaeological survey, Surdarsan Graphics, Madras, 1987; S
Deraniyagala, “The citadel of Anuradhapura 1969: Excavation in the Gedige area,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.II, 1972, p.159.
110
Y Subbarayalu, Trends in archaeology of Tamil Nadu, Presidential Address, Association
for the Study of History and Archaeology, Third session, Calcutta, February 26-28,
1999, p.5.
111
Udayaravi S Moorti, Megalithic culture of south India: Socio-economic perspectives,
Ganga Kaveri Publishing House, Varanasi, 1994.
112
KR Srinivasan, “The megalithic burials and urn-fields of south India in the light of Tamil
literature and tradition,” Bulletin of the Archaeological Survey of India, No.2, July
1946, (reprinted) 1970, See. pp.1-9.
113
Y Subbarayalu, Trends in archaeology of Tamil Nadu, Presidential Address, Association
114
106
75
organisation, which was marked by the formal introduction of
Buddhism. Similarly, there was substantial urban growth at
Anuradhapura, based on tank irrigation, monumental architecture
with burnt brick and a stratified society128. In addition, major
developments in technology, in methods of using iron, food
production and a general efflorescence in the entire cultural
assemblage appear in the archaeological record, although the
available data and its interpretation are still scanty.
the cultural features of the Iron Age India can be seen even in the
contemporary Sri Lanka to a certain extent although it is not clear
whether these people primarily migrated from contemporary India
or they belong to an indigenous source. But, it is important to note
at this point that megalithic structures closely similar to some of
those of the Indian Peninsula have been found even in other parts
of Asia, Africa and Europe too. The possibility of an integral unity
of ideas and expression over a large part of the earth's surface from
2,000 to 4,000 years ago lends to the enquiry an unusual potential
importance123. Hence, it is interesting to note that apart from
neighbouring India, the material from the earlier historic sites in
Sri Lanka, such as Bellanbandipalassa does show an intriguing
resemblance to the materials from Hoabinhian sites in Southeast
Asia also124, though the results of archaeological investigations of
the possible presence and influence of Southeast Asian peoples in
Sri Lanka during the prehistoric and early historic times was
largely negative.125
Historic periods:
It is thus evident that the clearest and the most dramatic
developments in early Sri Lankan history are those of the first
phase of the historical period, from ca. third century BC to first
century AD and not the sixth century BC, as suggested in
traditional writings for the so-called first Indian colonisation of the
island. Nevertheless, the information provided by the excavation
at Mahapali Hall of Anuradhapura (1988) is quite discordant with
this decision since some archaeologists have concluded that the
discovery of writing in Brahmi script 129 on five sherds (belonging
to five different pots) is significant for the periodisation of the subcontinent130 and these have been dated to a very early period than
the generally accepted dates. Since the use of an alphabet in
association with a language is unquestionably an indication of an
important change in any society, this discovery of the Brahmi
script has to be discussed in detail.
However, in contrast, it seems that at least the cultural associations
between the inhabitants of Sri Lanka and India are very ancient and
have been continuous since prehistoric times, the geomorphology
of the region permitting a relatively free flow of peoples and their
cultures126. Consequently, the general view is that a society of
advanced, socially differentiated, literate, iron using, farmers was
superimposed upon an earlier population of microlithic using
stone age hunter gatherers of the island and that this took place
mostly through processes of migration and implantation rather
than through internal development. But, in fact, we do not know
exactly when and how the development of the earliest food
production took place and who were the people responsible for it.
The main question that we cannot answer yet is whether the first
agriculturists were longstanding inhabitants of the island or one or
more waves of migrants or some combination of the former and the
later. The one thing that is certain is that they were the ancestors of
the present day Sri Lankans and that they had passed through early
phases and perhaps some incipient aspects of later phase sometime
before the third century BC127. Accordingly, whether these cultural
attributes were all introduced together following the so-called
early colonisation of the island, as described by the early historical
records of Sri Lanka or derived from the more gradual separate
transference of the technologies of these individual cultural
attributes awaits further intensive archaeological investigation and
scientific chronological refinement.
So far it was generally accepted that the earliest Brahmi stone
inscription found in Sri Lanka that can be dated with certainty, was
discovered at Mihintale very close to Anuradhapura where the
earliest centre of administration of the island was located. The king
Gamani Uti appearing in this inscription can be definitely
identified as king Uttiya, the successor of Devanampiyatissa (250210 BC) who was a contemporary of Emperor Asoka.131 Many
Brahmi inscriptions have been recorded during the subsequent
periods and these earliest writings in Sri Lanka record grants of
caves to the Buddhist monks by pious individuals. It is
conspicuous that these earliest Brahmi scripts are, on the whole,
palaeographically similar to that of the edicts of Asoka;132 records
found on the railings at Bharhut and Sanchi; and some of the other
early Prakrit inscriptions discovered in northern India 133. Hence
some have suggested that the art of writing and a readymade
alphabet came from Mauryan India with the Buddhist missionaries
to the island in the third century BC134. In addition, although the
earliest written records existing in Sri Lanka cannot be assigned to
a period earlier than the third century BC, some scholars believe
that it is quite probable that when the first Aryan speaking people
migrated to the island from North India about six century BC, they
brought with them the knowledge of the writing135. Similarly, some
others believe that the Brahmi alphabet had several centuries of
development behind it in the time of Asoka, since the literary
sources indicate that writing, probably at its inception, was known
It is, however, evident that some of the cultural developments had
close parallels with those taking place on the Indian mainland at
least from the early historical period onwards. For example, the
sixth period of the Citadel of Anuradhapura mentioned above
represents a cultural efflorescence, characterised by the
introduction of coinage and use of Brahmi scripts, which has been
ascribed to Mauryan influence commencing ca. 250 BC. It is also
evident that there was an apparent transformation in the social
123
124
125
126
127
128
KR Srinivasan, “The megalithic burials and urn-fields of south India in the light of
Tamil literature and tradition,” Bulletin of the Archaeological Survey of India, No.2,
July 1946, (reprinted) 1970, p.9.
Wilhelm G Solheim, “Archaeological Survey to investigate Southeast Asia prehistoric
presence in Ceylon,” Ancient Ceylon, No.1, August 1972, p.1.
For instance, the typical known tools of the Southeast Asian extensionistic period (about
8000 to 1 BC) are ground and polished stone adzes, but nothing like these tools was
seen in Sri Lanka. Certainly, only two or three polished stone tools are known from Sri
Lanka and these are also not at all similar to Southeast Asian tools. Wilhelm G
Solheim, “Archaeological Survey to investigate Southeast Asia prehistoric presence in
Ceylon,” Ancient Ceylon, No.1, August 1972, p.7.
Kenneth AR Kennedy, “Palaeodemography of Sri Lanka and peninsular India: A crossregional survey,” Perspectives in archaeology: Leelananda Prematilake Festschrift
1990, ed. S. Senaviratna and others, Department of Archaeology, University of
Peradeniya, 1990, p.34.
Senaka Bandaranayake, “The periodisation of Sri Lankan history and some related
historical and archaeological problems,” Asian panorama: Essays in Asian history, past
and present, ed. KM De Silva and others, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990,
p.10.
Senaka Bandaranayake, “The periodisation of Sri Lankan history and some related
historical and archaeological problems,” Asian panorama: Essays in Asian history, past
129
130
131
132
133
76
and present, ed. KM De Silva and others, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990,
pp.11-12; Sudarshan Senaviratna, “Iron technology in Sri Lanka: A preliminary study
of source use and production techniques during the early Iron Age,” Sri Lanka Journal
of the Humanities, Vol. XI, Nos1&2, 1985, pp.129-178.
These belong to the above-mentioned fourth period.
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, Appendix, p.271.
S. Paranavitana, Archaeological Survey of Ceylon Annual Report, 1933, p.14; PEE
Fernando, “The beginnings of Sinhala alphabet,” Education in Ceylon: A centenary
volume, Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka, 1969, p.20.
PEE Fernando, “Palaeographical development of the Brahmi script in Ceylon from third
century BC to seventh century AD,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.VII, No.2,
1949, p.283; David Diringer, The alphabet, Hutchinson, London, Vol.I, 3rd ed, 1968,
p.305.
S Paranavitana, Inscriptions of Ceylon, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Vol.I,
1970, p.xvii; Wilhelm Geiger, “The linguistic character of Sinhalese,” Journal of the
Royal Asiatic Society, (Ceylon Branch), Vol.XXXIV, No.90, 1937, p.20; CW Nicholas
and S Paranavitana, A concise history of Ceylon, Ceylon University Press, Colombo,
1961, second chapter; See also SR Goyal, “Brahmi- an invention of the early Mauryan
period,” The origin of Brahmi script, ed. SP Gupta and KS Ramachandran, DK
Publications, Delhi, 1979, pp.1-53.
by the Vedic Aryans in India ca. 1000 BC136.
Certainly, as its earliest manifestations indicate, Brahmi shows
some variations from the Brahmi script of the Mauryan period, not
least in the comparative irregularity, not to say ungainliness of
some of its letters. However, the language of these early
inscriptions is perhaps, unexpectedly in this setting, a typical North
Indian Parkrit. 143
In this context, the statements by Deraniyagala are important since
his chronology on the early Sri Lankan script is quite different
from that of the others. According to the findings of the Brahmi
script on pottery at the excavation site at Mahapali hall of
Anuradhapura he concludes that the associated cultural
assemblage indicates unequivocally that the use of the script dates
to the transition from the Protohistoric to the early historic period
and hence these assignable to the basal early historic i.e. preAsokan period137. He further concludes in this regard that it is
highly unlikely that five such specimens derived from five
different vessels could have been found in such close association
unless there was a functional relationship between these artefacts
and their matrix. The latter appeared homogeneous enough so as to
preclude the possibility of the sherds intruding en bloc from an
overlying context138. It is hence tempting to see a connection
between this archaeological evidence and the legend of Vijaya and
his followers as enunciated in the Mahavamsa an event attributed
to the sixth century BC139. Thus, it is hypothesised that the coevality in the first occurrence of Brahmi and the two ceramic traits
is linked in some manner to an extraneous cultural impulse that
reached Sri Lanka during this period.
Thus, although the history of Brahmi script of Sri Lanka goes at
least as far back as the sixth or fifth century BC, it is evident that
these few Brahmi letters on potsherds and even Brahmi
inscriptions of the early historical period of Sri Lanka which
belong to the third century BC do not contain much information on
the cultural history or the interactions of the two countries, since
their epigraphic style is nearly always the same; some inscriptions
contain only three words of the cave of so and so, others contain
also the title of the donor and of his father and a dedication to the
priesthood144. Nevertheless, taken along with the Sri Lankan
Chronicles these early Brahmi inscriptions of the island provide
valuable confirmation of information recorded in literature and
sometimes even supply new information on them. In addition,
particularly on some aspects of cultural history of the island they
fill gaps left by the chroniclers and they have the further advantage
that they are contemporary records to the events145.
It is remarkable that the finds of Sri Lanka-British excavation team
also confirms the usage of Brahmi script in this pre-Asokan period
in the island. According to the information revealed by the
excavation at the site of Salgahawatta in the citadel of
Anuradhapura, the early historic period (this has been termed as
period J) represents 450- 350 BC140 and from this stratum, they
have found four potsherds scratched with portions of Brahmi
inscriptions cut in ill formed but nonetheless convincing letters141.
As they have reported, the earliest indication comes from the first
phase of this period, but it is only a single letter; other examples
come from later phases; while the first fragment of a full
inscription occurs in the uppermost fourth and fifth phases. This
would indicate that the use of writing began some two centuries
earlier than the first datable inscriptions of south Asia142. Hence, it
can be reasonably concluded that the Brahmi script began to be
used in Sri Lanka at least a century or two before the rise of the
Mauryan empire and perhaps as early as three centuries before the
traditional date for the introduction of Buddhism into the island.
According to the descriptions given in ancient literature, there was
a quite different, but rather close intercourse between India and Sri
Lanka from very early periods. Although this is mentioned by Sri
Lankan literary sources, hardly any Indian treatise has left an
account of this connection. Thus, incidental references are to be
found in some works such as the Ramayana, Lamkavatara
Sutra, Divyavadana, Rajatarangani, Jatakas and in the Tamil
treatises of South India such as the Silappadikaram,
Manimekalei, Pattinappalai and the Padirrupattu etc146 of the
various periods. It is noteworthy that aside from these literary
sources, with the rise of the first Pandyan Empire in South India
and gradual entanglement of Sri Lanka in the politics of the South
Indian region, few epigraphical records of the Pandyas and the
Cholas also contain references to the political fortunes of the
island. Hence, it is clear that even in these epigraphical sources of
South India were also mainly focussed on political events than
cultural affairs of the two countries. Besides, a few inscriptions
such as at Bodh Gaya and Nagarjunakonda that will be discussed
134
135
136
137
138
139
See. S. Paranavitana, Inscriptions of Ceylon, Government Press, Colombo, Vol.I, 1970;
PEE Fernando, “Palaeographical development of the Brahmi script in Ceylon from
third century BC to seventh century AD,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.VII, No.2,
1949, pp.282-301; GS Gai, Introduction to Indian epigraphy, Occasional Monograph
Series No.32, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, 1986, pp.15-16 and 43.
In addition, there a few inscriptions of preAsokan period is also available in India. For
instance, Mahastan stone plaque inscription, Piprava Buddhist vase inscription (483
BC), Badhi inscription (443 BC) etc. See TV Mahalingam, Early south Indian
palaeography, University of Madras, 1967, pp.105-106. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy
that at least during the subsequent period a parallel to the early Brahmi inscriptions of
Sri Lanka is offered by some Brahmi records discovered in South India also, occurring
in a series of caves found in Trichinapoly, Madurai and Tinnavelly all in the Pandyan
country. For the accounts of these inscriptions please refer to Progress Report of the
Assistant Archaeological Superintendent for Epigraphs, Southern Circle, 1907, p.46;
1911-12, p.57; 1928, p.1. For further details of the similarity please refer to PEE
Fernando, “Palaeographical development of the Brahmi script in Ceylon from third
century BC to seventh century AD,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.VII, No.2,
1949, pp.282-301. It is generally believe that in the third or second century BC, the
Brahmi syllabary was introduce into Tamil Nadu area. See A descriptive catalogue of
palm leaf manuscripts in Tamil, Institute of Asian Studies, Madras, Vol.I, Part I, 1990,
Introduction, p.x. Accordingly, though it is debatable some have suggested that the
early Brahmi inscriptions of Sri Lanka confirm the existence of cultural influences not
only from North Indian region but also from South India during the early historical
period. Sudarshan Senaviratna, “The archaeology of the megalithic black and red ware
complex in Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.V, 1984, pp.237-307.
PEE Fernando, “The beginnings of Sinhala alphabet,” Education in Ceylon: A centenary
volume, Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka, 1969, p.20; G. Buhler,
Indian palaeography, Second edition, Calcutta, 1962, p.33.
RB Pandey, Indian palaeography, Benaras, 1952, pp.6-14; S Paranavitana, Inscriptions
of Ceylon, Department of Archaeology, Colombo, Vol.I, 1970, p.xxii; KV
Saundararajan, “Pre-Asokan writing in India,” The origin of Brahmi script, ed. SP
Gupta and KS Ramachandran, DK Publishers, Delhi, 1979, pp.54-66.
S. Deraniyagala, “The proto and early historic radiocarbon chronology of Sri Lanka,”
Ancient Ceylon, Vol.VII, 1990, Appendix, pp.271-272.
Ibid, p.272. For the plates of these Brahmi scripts please refer to p.290.
SU Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.745;
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
77
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient
Ceylon, Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171.
They have presented these details thoroughly following the names of periods and the
numbers employed by Deraniyagala in 1990. RAE Coningham and FR Allchin, “The
rise of cities in Sri Lanka,” The archaeology of early historic South Asia: The
emergence of cities and states, FR Allchin, Cambridge University Press, London, 1995,
pp.162-163.
Ibid, pp.162-163. See p.62 also.
Ibid, p.176. The inscriptions are found on sherds of local pottery, being throughout
scratched with a sharp point after firing and as such almost all are incomplete. Further,
they are also regrettably short. None of those discovered in Salgahawatta to date is of
more than six syllables and many consist of only one or two syllables. There can
however be little doubt that these single or double letters or symbols are parts of an
inscription and are not to be confused with a second series of signs that are less
certainly letters. The script in all cases appears to be an early stage of the Indian
Brahmi alphabet. With one or two problematic exceptions the language where enough
letters are present to make identification possible, appears to be Prakrit that is an early
middle Indo-Aryan language rather than a Dravidian or other language. RAE
Coningham and FR Allchin, “The rise of cities in Sri Lanka,” The archaeology of early
historic South Asia: The emergence of cities and states, FR Allchin, Cambridge
University Press, London, 1995, pp.176-178. However, it is noteworthy that
contemporary inscriptions on potsherds are known from Indian subcontinent too. See
SU Deraniyagala, “Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500
BC,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.V, No.11, 1990, p.159.
FR Allchin, The archaeology of early historic South Asia: The emergence of cities and
states, FR Allchin, Cambridge University Press, London, 1995, p.336. It is to be noted
that despite this appearance of Brahmi inscription, the remaining features of the
material culture stay on largely as in the previous period. Ibid, pp.162-163. See also
p.62.
David Diringer, The alphabet, Hutchinson, London, Vol.I, 3rd ed, 1968, p.304.
It is to be noted at this point that judging by these standards, the literary sources have
obvious limitations as a source for the earliest period of Sri Lankan history – that
covered by the Brahmi inscriptions. In fact, it shares almost all the weaknesses of a
literary source.
LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed.
HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.65
the history of the island's Buddha Sasana from the beginning upto
the event of the death of Mahinda thero sometime in the third
century BC. Its main aim was to establish the authority of the
Vinaya and therefore it does not deal with the subsequent history of
the island in detail.154
later are important to this study since these are basically religious
in character.
On account of this apparent scarcity of information from India, it is
clear that more attention has to be given to the details supplied by
the Sri Lankan chroniclers when examining the cultural
interactions of the two countries during the ancient period. When
considering these historical writings of early Sri Lanka, it has to be
realised at first that these have been entirely the works of Buddhist
monks. Among such works the three early Pali treatises, the
Dipavamsa, the Mahavamsa and the introduction to the
Samantapasadika, the commentary to the Vinaya Pitaka of the
Pali canon are the main sources of history of the island during the
earliest period147. In fact, these are not the earliest records of the
history of Sri Lanka, nor can these be understood apart from the
traditions that lie behind them and the other works based upon
them. In this context, it is evident that these were for a long time
handed down by word of mouth. As Geiger correctly pointed out,
these works were in addition closely related to one another, drew
upon a source, now lost, which has been termed variously as
Poranattakatha, Sihalattakatha or simply Porana.148 The
various references suggest an earlier source, thought to be an
historical introduction that was part of the old Sinhalese
commentaries to the Buddhist canonical works. 149
According to general acceptance, the most important literary
work is the Mahavamsa by Mahanama155. No doubt portions of the
treatise that deal with the ancient period may be important as an
example of ancient historiography.156 Although scholars like
Geiger157, Malalasekara158, Adikaram159 and Mendis160 have studied
the chronology, authorship and the sources of the Mahavamsa in
detail, neither they nor the others have had the last word regarding
the date and authorship of the Mahavamsa161. Nevertheless,
Paranavitana identifies thera Mahanama as the author of the
Mahavamsa, who received from Moggallana I the temple
founded by the latter at Sigiriya162. It has been generally assigned to
the period of sixth century AD163, but it can be argued that it is an
even later work 164. However, it is certain that this was not compiled
all at once, for it exists in four recognisable sections. Of them, only
the first two compilations that cover the period of ancient history of
the country are relevant to this study. The first part that consists of
the first thirty-seven chapters is commonly known as the
Mahavamsa and the rest of the chronicle is usually referred to as
the Culavamsa165. According to the references given in the
Vamsattappakasini, the commentary on the Mahavamsa, also
written in Pali not earlier than the end of seventh century AD and
dated as being compiled between the eighth and the twelfth
centuries166, the text is a translation into elegant Pali of the
historical material in the Poranattakata or ancient commentaries
of the dwellers of the Mahavihara in Anuradhapura167. Thus, it is
clear that there existed an older Mahavamsa in Sinhalese prose,
which was referred to as Sihalattakatha Mahavamsa and was
included in the commentary variously referred to as Attakatha,
Porana and Poranattakatha168. It is believed that this early version
of older Mahavamsa was placed on record very probably in the
reign of Vattagamini Abhaya (103 and 89-77 BC) when the
hitherto oral tradition of the Sinhalese commentaries was put to
writing.169
However, it is evident that the author of the Mahavamsa makes
use of various literary devices such as puns and alliterations, and
Of these literary works, the earliest remaining record of the
historical tradition of the island is the Dipavamsa 150compiled by
an unknown author or authors and completed about the middle of
the fourth century AD 151. It is conspicuous that being unused to the
language, they wrote in inelegant, halting Pali verses. The socalled “memory verses” the double versions of some events and
the numerous repetitions clearly show that it is very close to the
original source though containing some legends. According to the
chronological order, the next document is the introduction of the
Samantapasadika, which was compiled by the famous Buddhist
commentator Buddhaghosa152. It is believed that this was written in
the twenty-first reigning year of Sirinivasa and he has been
identified from the inscriptional and other evidence as king
Mahanama of the Mahavamsa (406-428 AD)153. The descriptions
given in the introduction of the Samantapasadika deal only with
162 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the period: Religion, literature and art,” University of
Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo,
Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.392.
163 W Geiger, Mahavamsa (ed.), Pali Text Society, London, 1912, p.xii.
164 RALH Gunawardana, “The people of the lion: The Sinhala identity and ideology in
history and historiography,” The Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, Vol.V, No.1 & 2,
1979, p.4.
165 Since the author of the Culavamsa has started his work with the last verse of the
Mahavamsa, it is obvious that the former is continued the later that stopped at the end
of the reigning period of Mahasena of the fourth century AD. This continued up to the
reign of Parakramabahu I of the twelfth century AD and it is conspicuous that with the
sixty-second chapter, the author introduces a new method, and dealt with king
Parakramabahu I in the manner in which Indian writers dealt with epic heroes, and
reminiscent of the style in which the author of the Mahavamsa dealt with Duttagamini.
LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.52. It
is an established fact that a Buddhist monk named Dhammakitti wrote this chronicle
(Wilhelm Geiger, Culavamsa, ed. Pali Text Society, London, Vol.I, Introduction, p.iii)
although some have attributed this to Moggallana who also wrote the
Abhidanappradipika and lived during the reign of King Parakramabahu I. Yagirala
Pannananda, Mahavamsa: The third part, Colombo, 1935, Introduction.
166 Vamsattappakasini, ed. GP Malalasekara, Pali Text Society, London, 1935, pp.civ-cix.
167 It is noteworthy that the Mahavihara was the seat of the orthodox, Hinayana doctrine,
but after the foundation in 89 BC of the Abhayagiriya temple, which became the centre
of the heterodox, tended to be Mahayana doctrine, its supremacy was often challenged.
168 Ibid, Introduction. It is to be noted at this point that the Attakatha or commentaries was
a compilation maintained through the centuries till it took its final form containing
historical material up to the time of Mahasena of the fourth century AD. It is evident
that the Attakatha was available to the great Indian commentator Buddhaghosa when
he visited Sri Lanka in the fifth century AD and to the author of the Vamsattappakasini.
It may be concluded that the sources of the present Mahavamsa and the Atthakatha,
were compiled almost contemporaneous with most of the events they relate and handed
down orally in the Mahavihara until the first century BC when these oral traditions
were placed on record. Ibid, Introduction.
169 Ibid, Introduction.
147 See GC Mendis, “The Pali chronicles of Ceylon: An examination of the opinions
expressed about them since 1879,” University of Ceylon Review, ed. JLC Rodrigo and
OH de A Wijesekara, October Vol.IV, No.1, 1946, p.1; LS Perera, “The sources of
Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others,
Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.50.
148 Mahavamsa, ed. Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1908, Introduction, p.10;
Vamsattappakasini, ed. GP Malalasekara, Pali Text Society, London, 1935,
Introduction.
149 Lakshman S Perera, “The Brahmi inscriptions as a source for the study of the early
history of Ceylon,” Ceylon Historical Journal, Vol.I, No.1, 1951, pp. 78-95.
150 The Dipavamsa, ed. Hermann Oldenberg, London, 1879.
151 LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.48.
152 Samantapasadika, ed. J. Takakusu, Pali Text Society, London, 1924.
153 LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.49.
154 Ibid, p.49.
155 Mahavamsa, ed. Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1908. Geiger no doubt
felt that there was ample scope for a deeper investigation and even before he brought
out his edition of the Mahavamsa, he published a small treatise, which forms a critical
evaluation of the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa with special reference to their sources.
See W Geiger, The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, tr. EM Coomaraswamy, Government
Printer, Colombo, 1908. Although Geiger once changed his stance regarding the
sources of the Mahavamsa (See Culavamsa, ed. Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society,
London, Vol.I, p.11), his conclusion was that the two early chronicles go back to a
common source (See W Geiger, Culture of Ceylon in medieval times, ed. Heinz
Bechert, Wiesbaden, 1960, p.72), a view that has still not been seriously refuted. S
Kiribamune, “Geiger and the history of Sri Lanka,” Ceylon Journal of Historical and
Social Studies, Vol.VII, No.1, 1977, p.55.
156 Lakshman S Perera, “The Brahmi inscriptions as a source for the study of the early
history of Ceylon,” Ceylon Historical Journal, Vol.I, No.1, 1951, p.82.
157 W Geiger, The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, tr. EM Coomaraswamy, Government
Printer, Colombo, 1908.
158 Vamsattappakasini, ed. GP Malalasekara, Pali Text Society, London, 1935.
159 EW Adikaram, Early history of Buddhism in Ceylon, Gunasena, Colombo, Second
impression, 1953.
160 GC Mendis, “Pali Chronicles of Ceylon,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.IV, 1946.
161 S Kiribamune, “Geiger and the history of Sri Lanka,” Ceylon Journal of Historical and
Social Studies, Vol.VII, No.1, 1977, p.55.
78
presents his material as a well-balanced whole.170 But, it is
significant that the Mahavamsa is religious in its outlook even
when describing secular matters. As a result, the strong didactic
purpose running through it is summarised in the phrase that ends
each chapter, “compiled for the serene joy and emotion of the
pious.” Thus, parts of it were no doubt read for the edification of
the faithful. It is also obvious that this chronicle represents fourth
and fifth century claims about Buddhists and the history of
Anuradhapura region 171. Consequently, it reveals that the Buddhist
connection is the major preoccupation of the early historiography
of the island as far as an Indian cultural relation is concerned. This
link is evident in attempts to show that not only is the last Buddha
made to visit Sri Lanka, but three other previous Buddhas are also
said to have sanctified the island with their presence, having come
over from India172. Accordingly, Sri Lanka's affinity to the Buddha
is emphasised so much that it even includes a family connection
between the Sakyan royal dynasty to which the Buddha belonged
and the royal family of the island, a subject which has been dealt
with in depth by some scholars.173 Consequently, it is significant
that the history of Sri Lanka mentioned in these Pali works came to
be closely linked with the history of Buddhism in the island too.
For the fulfilment of this amalgamation, the history of Sri Lanka
from its earliest times upto the reigning period of
Devanampiyatissa was added. 174
were gathered from whatever traditions, legends or myths that
were current to fulfilling the aspiration of the author.176 Ultimately,
it is obvious that these Pali chronicles of Sri Lanka without doubt,
added the descriptions reign by reign, so that no section can be said
to actually date from the given period.
Thus, although certain imperfections can be noted among the
descriptions given in these chronicles, it is noteworthy that a
majority of these have been confirmed by the epigraphical records
at least from the period of third century BC onwards when Brahmi
inscriptions are available abundantly. But it is to be noted that
according to the descriptions given in these ancient chronicles, the
unbroken and detailed history of the island runs at least as far back
as the incident of landing of Vijaya, a North Indian prince and his
followers sometime in the sixth century BC177. But, some of the
early historians Mendis, for instance, strongly suggested that it was
a synthetic account, a product of the mind178 and dating not earlier
than the first century BC. Certainly, a detailed examination of the
Vijaya legend at least reveals that it was a creation after the
introduction of Buddhism and was fashioned by adapting stories
from the Jatakas and further embellishing them with details from
others179. Besides, the story of next three kings, Panduvasudeva,
Abhaya and Pandukabhaya also seem to have been adopted mainly
from the Jatakas and they have been further transformed with the
object of connecting the royal dynasty of Sri Lanka on the one hand
with the Pandavas, the heroes of the Mahabharata and on the
other with the Sakyas, the clan of the Buddha180. It is interesting to
note at this point that the Vijaya story contains some elements that
are discordant with the other stories given in the same chronicle
too. For instance, during the first visit to the island, Buddha is said
to have expelled the inhabitants, the Yakkhas of the island to the
Giridipa though subsequently Vijaya and his followers find their
kingdom in the island181.
It is evident that an examination of the reigning periods of the early
kings of the island from the time of Vijaya's period shows that these
were artificial creations. For instance, the nine kings of the earliest
twelve are allotted round numbers. Of them, Pandukabhaya and
Mutasiva are given impossible reigning periods, seventy and sixty
years respectively. Besides, Pandukabhaya is born just before the
death of his father Panduvasudeva. He ascends the throne at 37 and
rules for 70 years until he is 107. His son Mutasiva is born of
Suvannapali whom he married before he was twenty.
Nevertheless, he, who must have been advanced in years at his
accession, reigns for another sixty years. His second son
Devanampiyatissa, who too must have been old at his accession,
reigns for another thirty years and fourth brother reins for another
ten years after Sena and Guttika. Thus, it is clear that no value can
be attached to the chronology of Sri Lankan kings at least from the
period of Vijaya to Elara's time. The reigning periods seem to have
been artificially fixed to fill the gap between the death of Buddha
and the reign of Duttagamini.175 It is further evident that materials
But it is to be noted that some scholars did not reject these
traditional tales completely as non-history. Geiger, for instance,
states that if we bear in mind the tenacity in the east of the traditions
connected with certain localities, we cannot merely ignore such
traditions, but should try to discover the kernel of historical truth
that they contain182. Beyond these limits, it is interesting that as for
the Vijayan hypothesis, the so-called first colonisation of the island
to popular and semi-scholarly belief, few more modern historians
would disagree with the notion that the story is legendary,183 a myth
170 LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.50.
171 Jonathan S Walter, The Mahayana origins of the Theravada, Discussion paper of the
Ceylon Studies Seminar, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1997, p.2.
172 See the first chapter of Mahavamsa, ed. Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society, London,
1908.
173 RALH Gunawardana, “The kinsmen of the Buddha: Myth as political charter in the
ancient and early medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka,” The Sri Lanka Journal of the
Humanities, Vol.II, No.1, 1976, pp.53-62.
174 GC Mendis, “The chronology of the early Pali Chronicles of Ceylon,” University of
Ceylon Review, Vol.V, pp.39-54. It should be noted at this point that there are two
schools of thought, one following that there was an approximately 218 years’ interval
between the death of Buddha and the consecration of Asoka which took place 268 BC
and the other chronology placing the interval between these two events about 100-110
years. See H. Bechert, “The date of the Buddha reconsidered,” Indologia Jaurineasia,
Vol.X, 1982, pp.29-36.
175 GC Mendis, “The chronology of the early Pali Chronicles of Ceylon,” University of
Ceylon Review, Vol.V, pp.39-54.
176 LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.47.
177 Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, 1912, chap. 6; 37- 47vv. According to
this story given in the Mahavamsa in detail, the daughter of the king of Vanga runs
away from the palace and joins a caravan heading for Magadha territory. Nevertheless,
on the way, in the Lala country, the caravan is attacked by a lion and abducts this
princess. Ultimately, from the union of the princess with the lion are born a son and a
daughter named Sihabahu and Sihasivali. However, when the children grow up, they
flee with their mother from the lion’s den and reach the frontier region of their
grandfather’s kingdom. Here a relative who rules the frontier province befriends them.
The lion ravages villages in his search for his offspring. Consequently, the son
Sihabahu kills the further the lion. Ultimately, on the death of his grandfather, he is
offered the kingdom of Vanga, but he prefers to found a kingdom with a new capital
city, Sihapura where he reigns with his sister as his queen. They have sixteen pairs of
twins. Vijaya, the eldest, is of violent disposition. He and his seven hundred followers
harass the people. When the enraged people demand the Vijaya be put to death, the
178
179
180
181
182
79
king exiles him, together with his followers. Their ship touches at Supparaka, but
because of their misconduct, they are driven away again and finally they land in Sri
Lanka. On the day of their arrival in Sri Lanka, the Buddha lay dying, but his thoughts
were on the satiety of Vijaya and his followers. The Buddha assigns god Sakra to
protect them and the letter sends the God Uppalavanna to the island. Ibid, chap. 6; 3747vv. Although the Dipavamsa also gives the same story in short (See. The Dipavamsa,
ed. Hermann Oldenberg, London, 1879, chap.9, 1-8 vv), Mahavamsa added an extra
event to the story i.e. the marriages of Vijaya to indigenous Kuveni and daughter of
Pandyan princess of Madura etc. The story further says that the other women who
accompanied the princess were married to the followers of Vijaya and consequently
colonised the various parts of the island. (For the critical analysis of Vijaya story of
Mahavamsa, refer to GC Mendis, “The Vijaya legend,” Paranavitana felicitation
volume, ed. NA Jayawickrama, Colombo, 1965). Nevertheless, it is very interesting to
note that this story was not the only description of the so-called first colonisation of the
island of Sri Lanka, since Divyavadana presented another story, (Divyavadana, ed.
E.B. Cowel and R.A. Neil, Cambridge, 1886, pp.523-529) and Hiuen Tsang described
still another two stories almost different from the Vijaya legend given in the Sri Lankan
chronicles. (S. Beal, Travels of Hiuen T’sang, Calcutta, Vol.IV, 1958, pp.435-442).
However, it is interesting to note that this first so-called colonisation of “Merchant
Simhala” to Sri Lanka given the “Simhala Avadana” is pictorially represented among
the paintings of cave no 17 at Ajanta. J. Griffiths, The paintings in the Buddhist cave
temples of Ajanta Khandesh, London, Vol.I, 1896, see p.38. This story is believed to be
the landing of Vijaya. See DB Dhanapala, The story of Sinhalese painting, Saman
Press, Maharagama, 1957, p.42).
GC Mendis, “The Vijaya legend,” Paranavitana felicitation Volume ed. NA
Jayawickrama, Colombo, 1965, pp.263-279; Problems of Ceylon history, Apothecaries,
Colombo, (n.d).
GC Mendis, “The Mahabharata legends in the Mahavamsa,” Journal of the Royal
Asiatic Society (Ceylon Branch), New Series, 1956, p.81.
Ibid, p.81.
See. Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, 1912, chap. 6.
W Geiger, Culture of Ceylon in medieval times, ed. Heinz Bechert, Wiesbaden, 1960,
p.22.
However, it is noteworthy that in addition to this so-called
colonisation and other close cultural contacts, various references
have been made in Sri Lankan literature in relation to the ancient
trade connections between the two countries, which have been
examined by various scholars in detail 191. Besides these references
in Sri Lankan literature, both Eastern and Western historical
records also recount the role of Sri Lanka as an important centre in
the long distance trade of the Indian Ocean at least from the
beginning of the Christian era192. In this process, it is evident that
Sri Lankan products like precious stones, pearls, chanks, turtle
shell and cloth were in demand from a very early time. Apart from
such luxury goods, it appears that Sri Lanka provided certain
essential facilities for mariners of the Indian Ocean too. For
instance, besides food and pure drinking water, a wide variety of
timber used for making frames, planking, masts, spars and oars of
boats and ships was available in Sri Lanka, particularly in the
south-western parts of the island.
of origin or charter of legitimisation. In addition, it is noteworthy
that on the basis of Sri Lankan chronicles, the early Brahmi
inscriptions and certain linguistic characteristic of the island, some
other scholars believed that the credit of beginning the earliest
civilised habitations has to be given to a group that arrived from
northwest and east India.184
It is interesting to note that though some recent historians have
pointed out that the use of legend given in the chronicles was a
political charter,185 some other contemporary historians believe
that these can also be seen as a reflection of the cultural identities of
the people, realistic or imaginary as the case may be. Accordingly,
it is implicit in the legend of Vijaya who peopled the island is the
belief that Sri Lankan culture186 owes its origins to Indian culture.
The belief is the same when considering the recent works of
archaeologists. For example, the above-mentioned earliest Brahmi
scripts found on pottery at the excavation site of Mahapali hall of
Anuradhapura has been assigned to the so-called first colonisation
of the island by Deraniyagala.187
It is certain that in this trade pattern, Sri Lankan's earliest and
closest trading partner was neighbouring India. Consequently,
several early records describe Sri Lankan mariners who engaged in
western part of India as early as the fourth century BC and the Sri
Lankan ships coming to India194. In addition, it is quite clear that the
Sri Lankan polity was concerned about the hold of the Indian
merchants as intermediaries and was trying to gain access to the
western Indian Ocean trade195. It is also evident that their
involvement in foreign trade persisted even at the end of the
twelfth century AD and in the beginning of thirteenth century AD.
For instance, in one of the inscriptions of queen Lilavati, who ruled
intermittently from 1197 to 1212, she refers to the presence of the
South Indian trading guild in her kingdom196. The record is
particularly significant since it directs our attention to the
continuing prominence of South Indian merchants in the island
long after the termination of the Cola occupation.197
Thus, it is clear that some of the historians as well as archaeologists
still tend to accept the basic premise that civilisation in Sri Lanka
had its origins in groups or waves of migrants from North India
settling down in the island somewhere during the first millennium
BC an amalgam of their Indo-Aryan dialects producing the early
Sinhalese language. 188 Nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that,
in addition to the North Indian role, South India is also credited
with playing an equal role in this so-called 'first colonisation' of the
island since the story mentions the connection of a Pandyan
princess189. It is interesting to note that some archaeologists also
believe that it is fairly certain that some cultural and political
elements of protohistoric and early historic periods of Sri Lanka,
particularly the megalithic culture received its impetus from South
India190, as we have already discussed above. But, in contrast, it is
obvious that the descriptions given in these Chronicles,
particularly as regards the earliest phase of the island, quite
discordant with the information revealed by the recent
archaeological explorations.
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
Apart from the evidence of literary sources and also the rare
epigraphical records, the archaeological excavations done at
Mahatitta, the main port of ancient Sri Lanka also shows evidence
of far-flung Indian Ocean trade from the last few centuries before
CR de Silva, Sri Lanka: A history, New Delhi, 1987, pp.19-21; KM de Silva, A history
of Sri Lanka, New Delhi, 1981, p.3.
See. PEE Fernando, “Palaeographical development of the Brahmi script in Ceylon from
third century BC to seventh century AD,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.VII, No.2,
1949, pp.282-301; See also David Diringer, The alphabet, Hutchinson, London, Vol.I,
3rd ed, 1968, pp.303-304.
See. RALH Gunawardana, “The kinsmen of the Buddha: Myth as political charter in the
ancient and early medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka,” The Sri Lanka Journal of the
Humanities, Vol.II, No.1, 1976, pp.53-62.
Sirima Kiribamune, “Buddhist historiography: Sri Lankan perception,” Cultural
interaction in South Asia: A historical perspective, ed. SAI Tirmizi, Hamdard Institute
of Historical Research, New Delhi, 1993, p.9.
U Deraniyagala, (Reprinted from) The prehistory of Sri Lanka: An ecological
perspective; Addendum III, Archaeological Survey of Sri Lanka, 1992, p.745;
“Radiocarbon dating of early Brahmi script in Sri Lanka 600-500 BC,” Ancient
Ceylon, Vol.V, No.11, 1990, pp.149-171.
Senaka Bandaranayake, “The periodisation of Sri Lankan history and some related
historical and archaeological problems,” Asian panorama: Essays in Asian history, past
and present, ed. KM De Silva and others, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990,
p.10; See also David Diringer, The alphabet, Hutchinson, London, Vol.I, 3rd ed, 1968,
pp.303-304.
Sirima Kiribamune, “Buddhist historiography: Sri Lankan perception,” Cultural
interaction in South Asia: A historical perspective, ed. SAI Tirmizi, Hamdard Institute
of Historical Research, New Delhi, 1993, p.10.
Sudarshan Seanaviratna, “The archaeology of the megalithic black and red ware
complex in Sri Lanka,” Ancient Ceylon, Vol.V, 1984, pp.237-303, particularly, pp.282283; “Pre-state chieftains and servants of state: A case study of Parumaka,” Sri Lanka
Journal of the Humanities, Vol.XV, Nos 1& 2, 1989, pp.99-132.
For instance see BJ Perera, “The foreign trade and commerce of ancient Ceylon,” (4 pt.)
Ceylon Historical Journal, Vol. 1, 1952, January pp.109-119, pp.192-204, April pp.301320, July-August pp.14-22; M Prickett, “Sri Lanka’s foreign trade before AD 600:
Archaeological evidence,” Asian panorama: Essays in ancient history, past and present,
ed. KM de Silva, S Kiribamune and CR de Silva, 1990, pp.151-190; “Durable good:
The archaeological evidence of Sri Lanka’s role in the Indian ocean trade,” Asian
panorama: Essays in ancient history, past and present, ed. KM de Silva, S Kiribamune
and CR de Silva, 1990, pp.61-85; “Mantai-Mahatitta: The great port and entrepot in
Indian trade,” Asian panorama: Essays in ancient history, past and present, ed. KM de
Silva, S Kiribamune and CR de Silva, 1990, pp.115-122; WI Siriweera, “Pre-colonial
Sri Lanka’s maritime commerce with special reference to its ports,” Sri Lanka and the
silk road of the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National
Commission for UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, pp.125-133;
RALH Gunawardana, “Seaways to Sielediba: Changing patterns of navigation in the
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
80
Indian ocean and their impact on pre-colonial Sri Lanka,” Sri Lanka and the silk road
of the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990; Osmund Bopearachchi,
“Seafaring in the Indian ocean: Archaeological evidence from Sri Lanka,” Tradition
and Archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean, Proceedings of the
International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of seafaring in the Indian
ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles, Manohar Publishers and
Distributors, 1996, pp.59-77.
See DPM Weerakkody, “The foreign relations and trade of ancient Sri Lanka from Greek
and Latin sources,” Silver Jubilee commemoration volume of the University of
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, ed. SGM Weerasinghe and others, Kalaniya, 1986, pp.447-463.
RALH Gunawardana, “Seaways to Sielediba: Changing patterns of navigation in the
Indian ocean and their impact on pre-colonial Sri Lanka,” Sri Lanka and the silk road
of the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake nd others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, p.31.
For the details of these references please refer to DPM Weerakkody, Taprobane: Ancient
Sri Lanka as known to Greeks and Romans, Brepols, 1997 and Osmund Bopearchchi,
“Seafaring in the Indian ocean: Archaeological evidence from Sri Lanka,” Tradition
and Archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean, Proceedings of the
International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of seafaring in the Indian
ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles, Manohar Publishers and
Distributors, 1996, pp.59-77.
RALH Gunawardana, “Seaways to Sielediba: Changing patterns of navigation in the
Indian ocean and their impact on pre-colonial Sri Lanka,” Sri Lanka and the silk road
of the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, p.38.
DM de Z Wickramasinghe, “The slab inscription marked of queen Lilavati,” Epigraphia
Zeylanica, ed. DM de Z Wickramasinghe, Oxford University Press, Vol.I, 1912,
epigraph no.14, p.180.
RALH Gunawardana, “Seaways to Sielediba: Changing patterns of navigation in the
Indian ocean and their impact on pre-colonial Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the silk road of
the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, p.36.
See Moira Tampoe, “The spice island route: Sri Lanka’s participation in maritime trade
and the archaeological evidence from Mantai and Galle harbour,” Sesquicentennial
commemorative volume of the Royal Asiatic society of Sri Lanka 1845-1995, ed.
GPSH de Silva and CG Uragoda, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka, Colombo, 1995,
pp.167-168.
As quoted by JW McCrindle, Ancient India as described in classical literature, Archibald
Constable, Westminster, 1901, p.xv.1.15; Pliny, Natural history, ed. H Rackam, WHS
Jones and De Eicholz, Cambridge University Press, Vol.VI, 1940-1958, p.81.
the Christian era up to the end of tenth, eleventh century, with a
very diminished trade continuing until the thirteenth century AD
when the port functioned more as a military and naval base.198 In
this context, it is noteworthy that the port of Mahatitta was
strategically placed for the exchange of goods between the Eastern
and Western blocks of the Indian Ocean, as well as the north-south
exchange between the Indian mainland and Sri Lanka. Located in
the shallow seas on the eastern side of the underwater reef-barrier,
Adam's bridge, the small Mantai channel particularly allowed
goods to be transhipped to the emporium, a fact remarked upon by
Eratosthenese in the third century BC. He mentions that the seas
between India and Sri Lanka were very shallow, but that there were
channels through which ships could navigate with two bows, so
that they need not turn around.199
diagnostic artefacts, mainly imported ceramics, glass, coins and
other datable artefacts. Accordingly, in the Mesolithic period; the
site was a marine‐resource oriented camp‐settlement in the
middle of the second millennium BC. In the early historic period;
there are indications of South Indian trade connections with
rouletted ware and black and red ware. This period is broadly
dated from the second century BC to second century AD. During
the third phase there are no distinctive imports other than Indian
Red Polished Ware, including some sherds with moulded scenes
from the Buddhist Jataka tales. This period is dated from the late
second century to mid eighth century AD. In the next period, the
five or six phases coincide with intensive occupation of all areas of
the site, with Chinese and Islamic glazed wares occurring in nearly
equal quantities in all phases.200 In this context, the archaeological
evidence, such as minor objects that have been found during
excavations, ceramics and beads, for example, provide
information relating to contemporary trade connections of the
two countries. Thus, the following objects have been discovered
in other recent archaeological excavations in various parts of Sri
Lanka and have further revealed that the ancient Indo‐ Sri Lankan
trade pattern was close.
It is to be noted that the excavations at the site, have enabled the
identification of four archaeological periods defined by bone and
shell material, radiocarbon dates on carbon and chronologically
Name of the item
Place of origin
Place of findings
Chronology
Northern Black Polished
Ware
North Indian
Gedige of Anuradhapura[1]
Around 250 BC
Black Hellenistic with fine
incision
Greco-Indian
Same site[1]
200-100 BC
Black partial slip on red-toblack Hellenistic Carinated
and Grooved
Greco-Indian
Anuradhapura Citadel and
Kantarodei[1]
Same period
Roulletted Ware
South Indian
Anuradhapura Citadel,
Jetavanarama dagoba,
Kantarodei and Mantai
200 BC - 200 AD[1]
Indo-Sasanian fines
Indian
Anuradhapura and
Jetavanarama dagoba[1]
Third century AD[1]
Red Polished Ware
Gujarat and Maharastra
Anuradhapura Citadel,
Sigiriya, Dagobas of
Jetavanarama, bhayagiri
and Mantai[1]
First to seven Centuries
AD[1]
Fine red painted white
kaolin fabric
Indian
Intaglio Seals
North-western India or Sri
Lanka[1]
Anuradhapura and
Citadel.[1]
Third century BC or AD
Carnelian stone beads and
seals
Deccan, Gujarat or Sri
Lanka
Citadel and
Jetavanaramaya[1]
Fifth century BC and
onwards
Anuradhapura,
Fourth to Seventh centuries
Abhayagiriya, Sigiriya and
AD
Mantai[1]
199 As quoted by JW McCrindle, Ancient India as described in classical literature,
Archibald Constable, Westminster, 1901, p.xv.1.15; Pliny, Natural history, ed. H
Rackam, WHS Jones and De Eicholz, Cambridge University Press, Vol.VI, 1940-1958,
p.81.
200 See Moira Tampoe, “The spice island route: Sri Lanka’s participation in maritime
trade and the archaeological evidence from Mantai and Galle harbour,”
Sesquicentennial commemorative volume of the Royal Asiatic society of Sri Lanka
1845-1995, ed. GPSH de Silva and CG Uragoda, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka,
Colombo, 1995, pp.167-168.
197 RALH Gunawardana, “Seaways to Sielediba: Changing patterns of navigation in the
Indian ocean and their impact on pre-colonial Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka and the silk road of
the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, p.36.
198 See Moira Tampoe, “The spice island route: Sri Lanka’s participation in maritime
trade and the archaeological evidence from Mantai and Galle harbour,”
Sesquicentennial commemorative volume of the Royal Asiatic society of Sri Lanka
1845-1995, ed. GPSH de Silva and CG Uragoda, Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka,
Colombo, 1995, pp.167-168.
81
Devanampiyatissa somewhere in the third century BC210.
Consequently, it is evident that a majority of the descriptions of the
Mahavamsa and the other early literary sources of the island have
been confirmed by these epigraphical records, as very reliable
narrations at least from the third century BC onwards. Based on
this fact, it is not unreasonable to conclude that the “historical Sri
Lanka” or the “reliable history of the island” commences from the
period of king Devanampiyatissa,211 which is marked by the
official introduction of Buddhism. Hence, it is certain that this
reigning period marks the turning point of early Sri Lankan history.
Accordingly, it is clear that no imported Indian products were
evident before ca. 250 BC except carnelian beads and seals, the
origin of which is uncertain whether Sri Lankan or Indian. But, it is
obvious that the first imports at least begin with the appearance of
the Northern Black polished ware of North Indian origins at the
end of the protohistoric period, a time of strong Mauryan influence
as described by Sri Lankan chronicles. Thus, North Indian contacts
are visible from the end of the protohistoric through the early
historic and middle historic period onwards through the evidence
of Northern Black polished ware. In addition, the Rouletted ware
had primarily eastern and southern Indian contacts and
exchanges.201
In this context, it is noteworthy that according to the descriptions
given in these ancient chronicles very close cultural and political
relations prevailed between India and Sri Lanka during this period.
As it was recorded, for instance, the king of Sri Lanka sent a group
of envoys with large presents to India.212 King Asoka bestowed
gifts and honours and sent back the envoys213. It is interesting to
note at this point that the place name of Tambapanni as taken to
mean Sri Lanka is mentioned at least twice in the inscriptions of
king Asoka too214. It is also to be noted that the Mahavamsa itself
records that at the conclusion of the third council of Dhamma that
was held under the sponsorship of King Asoka missionaries were
dispatched to various directions to spread Buddhism. Of these, one
of the most fruitful missions was the one sent to Sri Lanka, which
was headed by Mahinda thero, the son of Emperor Asoka215 and
historians believed that the historicity of the introduction of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka is not in any doubt216. Nevertheless, it is
significant that in Asoka's own inscriptions no mention is made of
his son or of the mission headed by the latter. Hence, Asoka's
obvious silence regarding such an important mission headed by his
own son has led scholar to express doubts regarding the
Mahavamsa account of Mahinda's mission to Sri Lanka. But, it is
to be noted that the Mahavamsa account of the mission to the
Himalayas has received striking corroboration from
archaeological evidence at Sanchi. Similarly, an inscription on a
relic casket at Sanchi reads “Sapurisa Mogaliputasa,217” proving
beyond doubt that Moggaliputta Tissa who according to the
Mahavamsa was the convenor of the third council was a historical
figure.
Apart from these, Indian coins found in Sri Lanka also indicate that
the earliest coins of Sri Lanka, the punch-marked coins were
influenced by the Indian punch-marked coins. The absence on
some of these coins of any symbol that can be attributed to Sri
Lanka alone provides the space to further conclude that all the
genuine punch-marked coins found in Sri Lanka were imported
from India.202 Bopearchchi points out that the discovery of many
terracotta moulds with Karshapana imprints in the excavations at
Gedige site Anuradhapura and many other places shows that some
of these coins were cast in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, the moulds he
could examine are identical to the ones found in Haryana in North
India.203 Besides, it is conspicuous that with a few exceptions all the
Indian coins that are found in Sri Lanka belong to the middle and
late Mauryan period.204 The indications are therefore that coinage
only became current around the time of Mahinda's mission to Sri
Lanka and of the expansion of North Indian or more precisely
Mauryan influence there.205 In contrast, it is apparent that although
a certain number of coins belonging to the succeeding Kshatrapa
and Kushana dynasties are found in the island, they are quite rare.206
Apart from these, it should not be forgotten that the presence of a
good number of South Indian Pandya coins in the excavations at
Anuradhapura and other places of the northern part of the island
indicates that Sri Lanka's ancient trade activities were with South
Indian region too.207 It is equally important to note that Sri Lankan
coins were also found in South India.208 Undoubtedly, all these
physical material evidences clearly indicate the close Indian
contacts of Sri Lanka during the ancient period.
Interestingly enough, the Mahavamsa further states in this regard
that theri Sanghamitta, the daughter of King Asoka also brought
the sacred Bodhi sapling of Bodhagaya to the island218. It is also
said in the chronicle that many groups of people were said to have
been sent to protect this Bo sapling and among them were the
weavers and potters and other guilds. Nevertheless, as in the case
of Mahinda's mission to Sri Lanka, some scholars have expressed
doubts about the historicity of Sanghamitta and the arrival of the
Religious interactions:
It was mentioned above that as there are certain imperfections in
the accounts given in the early chronicles especially of the
beginning of the history of the country,209 many historians had to
rely on contemporary epigraphs, the history of which undoubtedly
runs at least as far back as the reigning period of king
201 Martha Prickett, “Sri Lanka’s foreign trade before AD 600: Archaeological evidence,”
Asian panorama: Essays in ancient history, past and present, ed. KM de Silva, S
Kiribamune and CR de Silva, 1990, p.169.
202 H.W. Codrington, Ceylon coins and currency, Memoirs of the Museum, Series A, No3,
Colombo, 1924, p.16.
203 See. “Seafaring in the Indian ocean: Archaeological evidence from Sri Lanka,”
Tradition and archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean, Proceedings of
the International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of seafaring in the
Indian ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles, Manohar Publishers
and Distributors, 1996, pp.59-77, especially p.66.
204 Ibid, pp.59-77.
205 FR Allchin, The archaeology of early historic South Asia: The emergence of cities and
states, FR Allchin, Cambridge University Press, London, 1995, p.179.
206 Osmund Bopearchchi, Seafaring in the Indian ocean: Archaeological evidence from
Sri Lanka,” Tradition and Archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean,
Proceedings of the International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of
seafaring in the Indian ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles,
Manohar Publishers and Distributors, 1996, pp.59-77.
207 Ibid, pp.59-77.
208 LS Perera, “The sources of Ceylon history,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon,
ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.72
209 Please see. RALH Gunawardana, “The kinsmen of the Buddha: Myth as political
charter in the ancient and early medieval kingdoms of Sri Lanka,” The Sri Lanka
Journal of the Humanities, Vol.II, No.1, 1976, pp.53-62; “The people of the lion: The
Sinhala identity and ideology in history and historiography,” The Sri Lanka Journal of
the Humanities, Vol.V, No.1 and 2, 1979, pp.1-39.
210 See. S. Paranavitana Inscriptions of Ceylon, Government Press, Colombo, Vol.I, 1970;
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
82
PEE Fernando, “Palaeographical development of the Brahmi script in Ceylon from
third century BC to seventh century AD,” University of Ceylon Review, Vol.VII, No.2,
1949, pp.282-301.
Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, 1912, chap. 11 (247-207BC).
Ibid, chap 11; 18v.
Ibid, chap. 11; 37v.
These occur in the Rock edict II amongst those lands for which he had provided for
the distribution of medicine and in the edict XIII amongst the countries to which he
had sent envoys. See. Second rock edicts of Girnar, Kalsi, Shahbazgarhi, Mansehra and
thirteenth rock edicts of Kalsi and Shahbazgarhi. E Hultzsch, Corpus Inscriptionum
Indicarum: Inscriptions of Asoka, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, Vol.I,
(reprinted) 1991, pp. 3, 29, 51, 72, 48, 68 and 70 respectively. Though Tambapanni is
one of the ancient names of the island of Sri Lanka, it is the name of a river in the
Tinnevelly district that was known to the author of the Ramayanaya too, Ibid, p.3; See
also VV Mirashi, “Rewah stone inscription of the time of Karana,” Epigraphia Indica,
Vol.XXIV, No. 13, Archaeological Survey of India, (reprinted), 1984, pp.101-115,
particularly p.103; KV Subrahmanya Aiyar, “Tinnevelly inscription of Maravarman
Sundara Pandya II,” Epigraphia Indica, Vol.XXIV, No.22, pp.153-172, particularly pp.
162 and 166. Nevertheless, there is a consensus of opinion that the Tambapanni of the
Asokan edicts is Sri Lanka. See R Mookerji, Asoka, Macmillan and co, London, 1928,
p.132 and its footnote no.2; J. Ph. Vogel, “Prakrit inscriptions from a Buddhist site at
Nagargunakonda,” Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XX, 1929-30, No.1, p.36.
Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, 1912, chap 12; 2-10vv.
For instance see Sirima Kiribamune, “Buddhist historiography: Sri Lankan
perception,” Cultural Interaction in South Asia: A historical perspective, ed. SAI
Tirmizi, Hamdard Institute of Historical Research, New Delhi, 1993, p.12.
Mahavamsa, tr. W Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1934, introduction, pp.xix-xx.
Ibid, chap 18; 6-8vv
BC, during king Duttagamini's time (161-137 BC), for instance, it
is mentioned in the Mahavamsa that at the inauguration ceremony
of the Mahatupa, the Ruvanvalisaya in Anuradhapura, a large
number of monks from the Buddhist centres of Isipatana,
Rajagaha, Savatti, Vesali, Ujjeni, Kosambi, Pataliputra, Kasmira
and Vindhya came to the island with gifts for the king. 223
Bodhi tree because there is no other evidence to corroborate the Sri
Lankan Pali chronicles. But, Geiger who firmly upholds the
tradition is of the opinion that the archaeological evidence at
Sanchi, the birthplace of Mahinda and Sanghamitta, confirms it.
According to him Grundwedel, has pointed out that the carvings of
the lower and middle architraves of the east gate of the Sanchi
stupa depict representations of this event and since the Sanchi
carvings belong to the second century BC, the representation is
distant from the event by roughly speaking only 100 or at most 150
years219. In these carvings, in the middle of the lower scene is the
Bodhi tree, as it stood at Gaya with Asoka's chapel, rising halfway
up the tree. A procession with musicians is on both sides of it. To
the right, a royal person, perhaps Asoka is getting down from his
horse with the aid of a dwarf. In the upper picture, there is a small
Bodhi tree in a pot and again a procession moving towards a city,
perhaps Anuradhapura or perhaps Tamralipti to which the young
tree was taken before it went to Sri Lanka. The decorations on
either side of the lower bas-relief are peacocks, symbolic of
Asoka's family, the Mauryas and lions, symbolic of Sri Lanka or
the royal family of the island220. It is significant that as in the case of
Geiger's assumption, Rhys Davids also concluded that the
opinions may differ as to the meaning of some of the details, but
there can be no doubt as to the main subject221. Accordingly it
seems that even the arrival of Theri Sanghamitta with the sacred
Bodhi sapling cannot be dismissed as a mere legend.
Besides these descriptions given in the chronicles, it is noteworthy
that during the second and third centuries AD, evidence of
Buddhist, intercourse between Sri Lanka and the lower Krishna
valley is furnished by a Prakrit inscription discovered at the
Buddhist site of Nagarjunakonda, which describes the erecting of
Buddhist temples there by Sri Lankan Buddhists.224 In addition, the
donative inscriptions at Nagarjunakonda and at other sites in the
Vengi region further testify to the closeness of relationship that
existed between the Buddhists of that region and those of Sri Lanka
during the ancient period. 225
Similarly, it is obvious that Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims, like
those from other Buddhist countries, made the round of the holy
places in Magadha. Of these, Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha's
enlightenment, was a particularly important pilgrim centre.
Consequently, an Indian document mentions a communication
between king Meghavanna (301-328) and king Samudragupta226 of
the two countries leading to the erection of a residence particularly
for Sri Lankan monks visiting Bodhgaya227. It is interesting that the
same incident or another exactly similar228, relating to the same two
sovereigns has been recorded in a Chinese document too.The story
says that a king of Sri Lanka named Sri Meghavarna sent two
monks to visit the monastery built by Asoka to the east of the Bodhi
tree at Gaya. The said two Sri Lankan monks paid their respects to
the Bodhi tree but the monastery did not offer them hospitality.
Hence, the two monks reported this to the king on their return and
on hearing, the complaint, Sri Meghavarna, sent envoys with gifts
of precious stones to Samudragupta requesting his permission to
build a Sri Lankan Monastery at Bodh Gaya229. In this connection
reference could be made to a Sanskrit inscription found at Bodh
Gaya, which records that a monk named Mahanama from Sri
Lanka caused a shrine to be built at the site230. Although this wellknown inscription of Mahanama stavira of Sri Lanka is dated in
accordance with the year 588-9 AD231 it is interesting to note that
Sri Lankan sources do not make any reference to this activity.
According to further descriptions given in the Sri Lankan
chronicles, during this period, the king and the people of the
country embraced the new religion of Buddhism and its order of
monks was consequently established222. As a result, Buddhist
religion became firmly established in Sri Lanka and with the
adaptation of Buddhism as the religion of the state, followed by
changes consequent on it in the religious and social life of the
people, Indian influences began to pervade the cultural life of Sri
Lanka. For instance, it is an established fact that the people of Sri
Lanka during this period put up buildings of brick, began to carve
in stone, learnt the art of writing and benefited from the teachings
of Buddhism. Consequently, the period witnessed the first
blossoming of art in the island as well. Correspondingly, the theme
of these early stories is that the roots of Sri Lankan culture go back
to the Buddhist ethos of the sub-continent.
Although the Indian and Sri Lankan historical records do not
provide direct evidence of Buddhist intercourse of the two
countries during the subsequent periods, the chronicles present
some indirect information on the subject. In the second century
In addition, there is another Sanskrit inscription of seventh or
eighth century date, which records the devotion of a distinguished
Sri Lankan pilgrim, Prakhyatakirtti232. The inscription is written in
219 See. Albert Grunwedel (tr. Agnes C Gibson), Buddhist art in India, Cosmo
Publications, New Delhi, 1985, See Chapter 2; Mahavamsa, tr. W Geiger, Pali Text
Society, London, 1934, introduction, p.xx.
220 Albert Grunwedel (tr. Agnes C Gibson), Buddhist art in India, Cosmo Publications,
New Delhi, 1985, See Chapter 2.
221 Rhys Davids, Buddhist India, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1971, p.303.
222 Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, 1912, see chapters 12-16.
223 Ibid, chap 29; 29-43vv.
224 J. Ph. Vogel, “Prakrit inscriptions from a Buddhist site at Nagargunakonda,”
Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XX, 1929-30, pp.1-37.
225 Ibid, pp.1-37, especially pp.9-10.
226 It is evident that during the fourth, fifth and sixth centuries AD, north India passed
under the sway of the imperial Guptas. Of these, Samudragupta who came to the
throne in the beginning of the fourth century AD was renowned for his military
exploits, his cultural accomplishments and his name and fame spread far beyond
the confines of his dominions. His Sri Lankan contemporary Sri Meghavarna (301328 AD) had established friendly relations with his illustrious neighbour according
to the Sri Lankan sources. Nevertheless, the Allahabad Pillar inscription of
Samudragupta mentions that the people of Saimhala among those who paid tribute
to the Gupta emperor. See JF Fleet, “Allahabad posthumous stone pillar inscription
of Samudragupta,” Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, Vol.III, Varanasi, 1963, pp.117, particularly pp.8 and 14. It is possible that many of the neighbouring kings
including Sri Meghavarna sought to maintain close contact with the most powerful
empire in the mainland and thought it politic to win the good graces of the great
emperor by sending rich present or showing respect in some other way. For further
details see Majumdar RC and Pushalkar AD, The classical age: The history and
culture of the Indian people, Vol.III, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, 1962,
pp.11-12.
227 DR Bhandarkar and B Chhabra, “Introduction,” Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum,
228
229
230
231
232
233
83
Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, Vol.III, (reprinted) 1981, pp.1-84,
particularly, pp.30-31; Vincent A Smith, Early history of India, fourth edition, Oxford,
1924, p.303.
M Sylvain Levi, “Chino-Sinhalese relations in the early and middle-ages,” Journal of
the Royal Asiatic Society, (Ceylon Branch), Vol.XXIV, No.68, 1915-16, pp.74-123;
Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1912, introduction, p.xxxix.
S Beal, Buddhist records of the western world, New edition, Calcutta, Vol.III, 1957,
pp.357-359; See also M Sylvain Levi, “Chino-Sinhalese relations in the early and
middle-ages,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, (Ceylon Branch), Vol.XXIV,
No.68, 1915-16, pp.74-123; A. Cunningham, Archaeological Survey Report, Vol.
XIX, p.60; V.A Smith, Early history of India, Oxford, 1924, p.303; RC Majumdar,
“Foundation of Gupta imperial power in India and its relations with Ceylon,”
University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University
Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.270; B Barua, Gaya and Buddha-Gaya,
Calcutta, Vol.I, 1934, p.195; DR Bhandarkar and B Chhabra, “Introduction,” Corpus
Inscriptionum Indicarum, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, Vol.III,
(reprinted) 1981, pp.30-31.
Archaeological Survey of India Annual Reports, 1908-9, p.153; A Cunningham,
Mahabodhi or the great Buddhist temple at Buddhagaya, London, 1892, p.58; See also
JF Fleet, “Budh-Gaya inscription of Mahanaman,” Corpus Indicarium Inscriptionum,
Vol.III, No. 71, pp.274-278.
Archaeological Survey of India Annual Reports, 1908-9, p.157; B Barua, Gaya and
Buddha-Gaya, Calcutta, Vol.I, 1934, p.197.
Archaeological Survey of India Annual Reports, 1908-9, pp.156-157; B Barua, Gaya
and Buddha-Gaya, Calcutta, Vol.I, 1934, p.196.
DM de Z Wickramasinghe, “Jetavanarama Sanskrit inscription,” Epigraphia
Zeylanica, ed. DM de Z Wickramasinghe, Oxford University Press, Vol.I, 1912,
Epigraph No.1, p.2; See also Diran Kavork Dohanian, The Mahayana Buddhist
sculpture of Ceylon, Garland and Publishing Inc, New York and London, 1977, pp.25,
hand, foreigners found their way to Anuradhapura, also, for it lay
on one of the southern routes travelled by pilgrims going from
India to China243. In fact, Anuradhapura, by the fifth century AD,
had become a chief centre for Buddhist study, as Fa-hsien was
careful to point out, the early canonical texts had been committed
to writing244. In addition, the fame of Buddhaghosa, who had come
there to translate the Pali and Sinhalese books, added to the lustre
of its reputation. Besides these references, Sri Lankan literature
frequently mentions the coming of Indian monks245 to Sri Lanka
and particularly the Mahavamsa records that the queen of Udaya I
(797-801 AD) had built in Mihintale a temple, which she granted to
the monks of the Tamil community.246
Nagari characters on the coping stone of the ancient railing at the
Mahabodhi temple. Besides, a votive inscription cut on the broken
pedestal of a Buddha image in Nagari characters of the ninth
century form at the site records the piety of the Sinhalese layman,
Udayasri, who commissioned the image in order to escape from
the world of woe233. In addition, it is noteworthy that a slab
inscription, datable to the tenth or eleventh century AD, records the
gift of a pious king and was written by a Sinhalese monk named
Ratnasrijnana234. It is interesting to note that during the same period
the Culavamsa also describes that king Vijayabahu I (1055-1110)
on several occasions sent costly offerings to the Mahabodhi at
Bodhgaya235. Meanwhile, the “Sinhala sangha adayas”235 has been
mentioned in another Gaya inscription of the eleventh or twelfth
century AD. Perhaps this indicates the income that the Mahabodhi
derived from the Sinhalese pilgrims of whom evidently there was a
large number237. It is to be noted at this point that based on these
epigraphical sources, Barua goes to the extent of arguing that Sri
Lankan monks were in control of the Mahabodhi at least up to Pala
period 238.
Without doubt, all these facts reveal that religious exchanges with
mainland India were frequent during the ancient period.
Consequently it is significant that the impact of many new ideas
that developed in India was soon felt in Sri Lanka. For instance, in
the reign of Voharaka Tissa (209-231 AD)247, Vaitulyavada,
identified as Mahayana248, made its appearance in Sri Lanka.
Paranavitana has shown that the periods when the Vaitulyas were
active in Sri Lanka synchronise with the dates assigned to some
significant development in Mahayanism in India249. The Mahayana
in India first came into prominence about the beginning of the first
century AD, though it is probable that its doctrines were prevalent
in an under developed form even in earlier times. About the latter
half of the second century AD, its doctrines were given an
authoritative form by the genius of Nagarjuna who is generally
believed to have been a native of the Andhra country of South
India250. Consequently, its main centres were Amaravati,
Dhanyakataka and Nagarjunakonda in the Andhra country.
Interestingly enough, the Mahayana and Tantric beliefs were in
fact the result of Buddhism conceding to the strength of resurgent
Hinduism251. The centre of this revolutionary doctrine in the island
was the Abhayagiriya temple and king Gothabhaya (249-262 AD)
had to take drastic action against 60 monks dwelling in
Abhayagiriya.252 Nevertheless, they were active again in the reign
of Mahasena (274-301) when a monk from South India curried
favour with the king and instigated him to do immense damage to
the Mahavihara253..
According to all these evidences, it is clear that since this was the
ultimate place of pilgrimage for the Buddhists of Sri Lanka, many
undertook the journey despite severe odds. No doubt that even
today, this place retains its enchantment. To the average Buddhist,
this is pilgrimage to the land of Buddhism. Hence, the above
references would prove that there had been regular visits by
pilgrims at least to the major Buddhist sites239. Obviously, these
contacts further testify to the vital and continuing communications
between the holy places and the monasteries of Sri Lanka too.
These religious missions must have been instrumental in
establishing contacts with the various schools of Buddhism that
were at that time in a flourishing condition under the Pala rulers of
Magadha.240
In addition, it is evident that Sinhalese monks and nuns had special
dormitories near Vijayapuri and were present at other religious
centres, such as Kaveripattinam, Kanci and some in central and
north Indian regions too241. Thus it seems that the monasteries in Sri
Lanka had enjoyed close contacts with institutions in various parts
of India. Of these, as Pathmanathan pointed out in detail, the
connection of Sri Lanka with Buddhist centres of South India is
very conspicuous242. As a result, in times of trouble at home, Sri
Lankan monks habitually sought sanctuary there. On the other
Later, in the time of Silakala (518-531 AD) the Dhammadatu, a
Mahayana text was brought to Sri Lanka from Varanasi by a
merchant and the king housed it near the royal palace. He ordered
130.
234 R Mitra, Buddha Gaya, Calcutta, 1878, pp.194-197.
235 Culavamsa, ed. Wilhelm. Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, chap. LX, 23v.
236 Vinoda Vihari Vidyavinoda, “Two inscriptions from Bodh-Gaya,” Epigraphia Indica,
Vol.XII, No.6, pp.27-29.
237 Ibid, pp.27-29. Thus, it is evident that the script of Nagari was the vehicle for these
donative records of the Sinhalese pilgrims at Budh Gaya. RC Majumdar, “Foundation of
Gupta imperial power in India and its relations with Ceylon,” University of Ceylon
History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I,
Part I, 1959, p.273; A Ariyappan and PR Srinivasan, Story of Buddhism with special
reference to south India, Madras, 1960, p.70.
238 B Barua, Gaya and Buddha-gaya, Calcutta, Vol.I, 1934, p.203.
239 Himanshu Prabha Ray, “Maritime archaeology of the Indian ocean: An overview,”
Tradition and Archaeology: Early maritime contacts in the Indian ocean, Proceedings of
the International seminar Techno-Archaeological perspectives of seafaring in the Indian
ocean, ed. Himanshu Prabha Ray and Jean-francois Salles, Manohar Publishers and
Distributors, 1996, p.5.
240 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the Polonnaruva period: Religion, literature and art,”
University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University
Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part II, 1960, pp.564-565.
241 A historical atlas of South Asia, ed. Joseph E Schwartzberg, University of Chicago
Press, Chicago and London, 1978, p.177.
242 S Pathmanathan, Buddhism in Sri Lanka and South India: Interactions among monastic
centers, Fourth Vesak Commemoration Lecture 2006, Sri Lanka Deputy High
Commission, Chennai, 2006, pp.31.
243 See Diran Kavork Dohanian, The Mahayana Buddhist sculpture of Ceylon, Garland and
Publishing Inc, New York and London, 1977, p.17.
244 S Beal, Buddhist records of the western world, New edition, Calcutta, Vol.III, 1957,
pp.44 and 55.
245 See Diran Kavork Dohanian, The Mahayana Buddhist sculpture of Ceylon, Garland and
Publishing Inc, New York and London, 1977, p.17.
246 Mahavamsa, tr. W. Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1934, chap. 49; 24v.
247 Ibid, chap.36; 40-41vv.
248 See S Paranavitana, “Mahayanism in Ceylon,” Ceylon Journal of Science Section G, ed.
A.M. Hocart and S. Paranavitana, Vol.II, December 1928 – February 1933, p.35. The
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
84
spread of Buddhism far and wide and the introduction into it of various adventitious
elements led to its great re-organisation, and it was near about the beginning of the
Christian era the two categories of the Buddhist order were gradually evolved as the
Hinayana and the Mahayana. JN Banerje, “Developments in Indian Buddhism,”
University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University
Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959, p.194; S. Paranavitana, “Mahayanism in Ceylon,”
Ceylon Journal of Science Section G, ed. A.M. Hocart and S. Paranavitana, Vol.II,
December 1928 – February 1933, p.35. The main features of the Mahayana Buddhism
are as follows. Strong belief in number of Buddhas and Bodhisattva concept and in the
ability of human beings to became Bodhisattva status. Code of altruistic ethics, which
teaches that every one, must do well in the interest of the whole world and make over to
others any merit he may acquire by his virtue. The aim of the religious life is to become
a Bodhisattva, not to become an arahat. Doctrine that Buddhas are supernatural beings
distributed through infinite space and time and innumerable. In the language of later
theology, a Buddha has three bodhies (Kayas) and still later, there is a group of five
(afterwards six) Buddhas (Dhyani). Various systems of idealist metaphysics, which tend
to regard the Buddha essence or Nirvana. Canon composed in Sanskrit and apparently
later than the Pali canon. Habitual worship of images and elaboration of ritual. Special
doctrine of salvation by faith in a Buddha, usually Amitabha and invocation of his name.
See. JN Banerje, “Developments in Indian Buddhism,” University of Ceylon History of
Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959,
p.200. Mahayanism encouraged the worship of certain gods and goddesses and
recommended the chanting of mantras for attaining emancipation from life as in the case
of Hindu practice. See I-Tsing, A record of the Buddhist Religion, tr. J. Takakusu,
Oxford, 1896, p.39.
S Paranavitana, “Mahayanism in Ceylon,” Ceylon Journal of Science Section G, ed.
A.M. Hocart and S. Paranavitana, Vol.II, December 1928 – February 1933, p.35.
Ibid, p.35.
See. JN Banerje, “Developments in Indian Buddhism,” University of Ceylon History of
Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part I, 1959,
p.200.
Mahavamsa, tr. W Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1934, chap.36; 112v.
Ibid, chap.36; 1-16vv.
Ibid, chap.41; 37-40vv.
Ibid, chap.42; 35v.
and having made Polonnaruva their capital, the Colas ruled Sri
Lanka for a period of half a century during which time South Indian
Hindu influence became stronger than ever before264. Thus, it is
clear that no new influences from North India had any effect on Sri
Lankan Buddhism after eleventh century AD and the island's
Buddhists began more and more to turn towards the other
Theravadian countries of the Buddhist world in their religious
matters. In this context, it is obvious that the most important centre
of the Theravada Buddhism in the eleventh and twelfth centuries
AD was Southeast Asia and therefore the Buddhists of Sri Lanka
had begun to turn away from India to this region.
that every year the Dhammadhatu be taken to the Jetavana temple
where a festival was held in its honour254. But it is recorded that in
the reign of Aggabodhi I (571-604), the Vaitulyas were humiliated
in a public debate255. Although this was an indication of an official
victory for Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana ideas had infiltrated
into orthodox Buddhism and the theistic and ritualistic tendencies
became popular. An eighth century fragmentary Mahayana
inscription written in Sanskrit characters found at Mihintale, the
cradle of Theravada Buddhism establishes this fact
unmistakably256. It is interesting to note at this point that a number
of copper plates of the same century, which contain the quotations
of stanzas of famous Mahayana texts Panchavinsati Sahasrika
Pragnaparamita and Kassapa Parivarta, have been found in the
inner relic chamber of the Indikatusaya of Mihintale257. In addition,
it is evident that in the ninth and the tenth centuries AD
Mahayanism was particularly strong in Sri Lank258. Besides, it is
apparent that even the extreme form known as Vajiriyavada, which
made the distinction between Buddhism and certain forms of
Saivism nominal, appeared in Sri Lanka in the ninth century AD259.
Thus, it is evident that all the principle changes in the doctrine and
practice of Buddhism appeared simultaneously in India and Sri
Lanka.
Of these, certainly the relations with Burma are significant265. It is
known that ever since the time of Buddhaghosa, the famous
Buddhist commentator, Burmese monks were in the habit of
coming over to Sri Lanka especially to the Mahavihara of
Anuradhapura to imbibe the orthodox tradition and continue it in
their own country266. But later, Sri Lankan Buddhists suffered great
calamities during the Cola occupation and the extensive
monasteries that flourished at Anuradhapura and other places of
the island in the tenth century AD were abandoned. As a result,
most of the Buddhist monks were unable to maintain themselves
even in the southern part of the island and large numbers of them
migrated from the island to Southeast Asian countries where
Buddhism was flourishing particularly to Burma267. After liberation
from the Cola power, it was the timely help from Burma to Sri
Lanka that helped to revive the higher ordination in the time of
Vijayabahu I (1055-1110) 2 6 8 . Subsequently, although
Parakkramabahu's invasion of Burma269 (1165 or 1166) somewhat
strained this relationship, the common Theravada Buddhism that
closely knit the two countries was strong enough to overcome all
such minor differences
In this context, it is noteworthy that unlike the Mahavihara,
Abhayagiriya was devoted to knowing and mastering the latest
trends in a sophisticated, global Buddhist world. As a result,
Abhayagiriya connected Anuradhapura with Indian universities,
Chinese imperial courts, Javanese trading communities and
brought Indian scholars, Chinese ambassadors and Javanese
traders to Anuradhapura. Consequently, Abhayagiriya made Sri
Lankan Theravada – Mahayana – Theravada - a real player in the
bigger cosmopolites of the day260. Nevertheless, it should not be
forgotten that Abhayagiriya so far as we know never denied the
relative value of the Lesser Vehicle. They sported their own canon
of the Lesser Vehicle, probably not much different from the Pali
Canon except in minor details. It is evident that at least the Chinese
knew that Abhayagiriya disseminated its own Lesser Vehicle
canon throughout Asia261. On the other hand, it is to be noted that
though some of the Mahayana doctrines differ from Theravada
Buddhism, Mahayanist monks who followed almost the same
rules of discipline as the monks of the Theravada sect in Sri Lanka
were able to live in the same temple and influence the monks of the
Theravada sect. Consequently, Mahayana Buddhism did not
replace the Therevada tradition. Indeed, it only added something to
it and the only thing it did replace sometimes was the worship of
local gods, for whom Bodhisattavas were substituted.262
However, it should not be forgotten that as in the case of the IndoSri Lankan association, the cultural relations of these two
countries were also bilateral. One of the services provided by Sri
Lanka to Burma was the help granted by Vijayabahu to establish a
common authoritative Canon for both countries. Next is the
interesting episode of the establishment of the Sihala Sangha sect
in Burma270. It is said in this connection that in the reign of
Parakkramabahu I, the elder Uttarajiva from Pagan visited the
Mahavihara bringing with him one of his pupils, the novice
Chapata. He received higher ordination from the Sinhalese
monks of the island and lived for several years ardently studying
the doctrine at the Mahavihara271. Chappata next returned to
Pagan taking with him four Sinhalese monks on a mission of
orthodoxy. Thus it is evident that deeply convinced of the fact that
the Mahavihara alone had kept the unbroken and legitimate line
of descent and that the valid ordination could only be received in
Sri Lanka he sought to form a nucleus of the orthodox tradition in
Burma by establishing the Sihala Sangha272. Consequently, it is
evident that the artistic traditions of Burma were also influenced
In North India, Buddhism continued to flourish under the Pala
dynasty of Bengal and Bihar till the Palas and their faith were both
uprooted by the Muslim conquest of twelfth century AD263. At the
same time, the victorious armies of Rajaraja Cola dealt the final
blow to Anuradhapura at the beginning of the eleventh century AD
266 Ibid, p.126.
267 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the Polonnaruva period: Religion, literature and art,”
University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University
Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part II, 1960, p.563.
268 Culavamsa, ed. Wilhelm Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, chap. LX, 4-8vv; See also
“Polonnaruva: A slab inscription of Nissankamalla,” Epigraphia Zeylanica, Oxford
University Press, London, Vol.II, 1928, Epigraph No. 27, p.253.
269 S Paranavitana, “Devanagala rock inscription,” Epigraphia Zeylanica, Oxford
University Press, London, Vol.III, 1933, Epigraph No. 34, p.317.
270 Vincent Panditha, “Buddhism during the Polonnaruva period,” The Ceylon Historical
Journal, ed. SD Saparamadu, Special Number on the Polonnaruva period, Vol. IV,
No.1-4, July-October 1954 and January-April, 1955, 1958, pp.126-7.
271 Ibid, pp.126-7.
272 Ibid, pp.126-7.
273 For further details please refer to WM Sirisena, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia:
Political, religious and cultural relations from AD c.1000 to 1500, EJ Brill, Leiden,
1978, pp.58-168; Ananda Coomaraswamy, History of Indian and Indonesian art, Dover
Publication, New York, 1965, p.177; Silpa Bhivasri, The origin and evolution of Thai
murals, Fine Arts Department, Bangkok, 1959, p.13.
274 Vincent Panditha, “Buddhism during the Polonnaruva period,” The Ceylon Historical
Journal, ed. SD Saparamadu, Special Number on the Polonnaruva period, Vol. IV,
No.1-4, July-October 1954 and January-April, 1955, 1958, p.127.
256 S Paranavitana, “Mahayanism in Ceylon,” Ceylon Journal of Science Section G, ed.
A.M. Hocart and S. Paranavitana, Vol.II, December 1928 – February 1933, p.42.
257 Archaeological Survey of Ceylon Annual Report, 1929, pp.30-31.
258 See Ibid, pp. 35-71; Nandasena Mudiyanse, Mahayana monuments in Ceylon,
Gunasena, Colombo, 1967.
259 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the period: Religion, literature and art,” University of
Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon 260 For further details
please refer to Jonathan S Walter, “The Mahayana origins of the Theravada,” Ceylon
Studies Seminar, Discussion paper, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1997, p.13.
261 Ibid, p.13.
262 GC Mendis, Ceylon today and yesterday: Main currents of Ceylon History, The
Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Colombo, 1957, p.45.
263 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the Polonnaruva period: Religion, literature and art,”
University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University
Press, Colombo, Vol.I, Part II, 1960, p.565.
264 Lorna Dewaraja, “Cultural relations between Sri Lanka and north India during the
Anuradhapura period,” Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. X, Nos. 1 & 2, 1987,
p.19.
265 Vincent Panditha, “Buddhism during the Polonnaruva period,” The Ceylon Historical
Journal, ed. SD Saparamadu, Special Number on the Polonnaruva period, Vol. IV,
No.1-4, July-October 1954 and January-April, 1955, 1958, p.127.
85
by the Sinhalese traditions during this period273. In addition, Sri
Lanka's relations with Cambodia also seem to be implicit in a few
references in the chronicles and inscriptions, but whether they
were of any religious character, it is difficult to determine.274
Sinhalese language is closely related to the Indo-Aryan tongues of
Northern India and it has descended through Pali, Prakrit from old
Sanskrit. Its evolution proceeds on the same lines as that of the
modern Indo-Aryan vernaculars such as Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi
and Bengali etc285. Besides Sinhalese literature, in subject matter
and style also shows itself strongly influenced by Pali and Sanskrit
literature. In addition, the Sri Lankan styles of architecture and
sculpture of the ancient period can also be traced to India. 286
General acceptance and the reality:
According to the facts given above, it is clear that the geographical
location of Sri Lanka in relation to India is such that any major
upheaval in the mainland, whether political, cultural or religious
was bound to generate repercussions in the island, eventually. Due
to this close proximity of the two countries and resultant impact of
India on Sri Lanka, some of the early historians of Sri Lanka and
also the scholars of India have gone to the extreme limit of terming
the periods upto the colonial time as the Indian period of Sri
Lankan history.275 They have further divided this into Northern and
Southern Indian periods of the island mainly based on the belief
that Sri Lanka was largely influenced by North India upto the Cola
conquest of 1017 and by South India from that date upto the arrival
of the Portuguese in 1505. Of these, the North Indian period is
further sub-divided into two: The first period begins with the reign
of Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BC) and ends with the reign of
Mahasena (274-301 AD). The second period begins with the reign
of Mahasena's son Kirtisri Meghavarna (301-328) and ends with
the Cola conquest of Sri Lanka in the reign of Mahinda V (9821029).276
Nevertheless, as some of these scholars themselves admitted that
in India itself owing to its vast size the culture of the people varied
from area to area due to differences in the physical background,
racial types, economic and social systems and religion etc.
Certainly, this difference applied to Sri Lankan culture as well287.
This would indicate that the culture of Sri Lanka was not uniform
with that of India. In this context, though some critics have
wrongly concluded that Sri Lanka has nevertheless made her own
what she has adopted; she has stamped with her own personality all
that she derived from India, and so intensive and far-reaching has
been the process, that Indian origins of Sri Lankan art can scarcely
be distinguished as such today288, it is fairly certain that Sri Lanka's
development differed culturally from that of India. For instance,
the most outstanding feature in Sri Lankan civilisation at least
during the first ten twelve centuries is the irrigation system which
alone formed the basis of the renowned hydraulic structure giving
life and water to the plains which nature had condemned to lie
parched and desolate is entirely the product of Sri Lankan genius
owing nothing to Indian influences. Regarding Buddhism too,
though it was an Indian import, it soon became indigenised. It is
also to be noted that though Buddhism disappeared from India, yet
Sri Lanka enshrined the faith in her bosom never to be forsaken,
thus evolving culture entirely her own289. Therefore, it cannot be
said that the whole culture of ancient Sri Lanka was a replica of
Indian culture in every sense though early islanders borrowed
some of the cultural elements of India, due to close interactions
between the two countries that had started from very ancient times.
But, it is to be noted at this point that it has often been accepted that
the cultural relations of the two countries were one-sided or there
was only a one-way movement in the direction of Sri Lanka.
Certainly, there are not enough evidences to show how far Sri
Lankan society or the people influenced Indian culture or the
people except in the case of a few examples like Sri Lanka
developed Buddhist Commentaries on the Pali Canon in Sinhalese
that were later translated into Pali for the use of Buddhist monks in
the Indian subcontinent290, Sri Lankan Buddhist monks have
spread their faith in North India and the Deccan region291, the
Buddhist sacred places like Bodh Gaya have been controlled by the
Sri Lankans throughout the ages and Sri Lankan Buddhist nuns
This trend figures prominently in the studies of Geiger277,
Raghavan278, Mendis279 and Ellawala280 etc. For example, Ellawala
suggests that the social organisation of Sri Lanka in early times
was modelled on that of the Indo-Aryan kingdoms of Northern
India281 and Mendis concludes that the economic, political and
social background of Sri Lanka was particularly the same as that of
India and the modifications, which it went through till the end of
the fifteenth century AD and to a limited extent after that, were
mainly due to Indian influences. Thus, he believes that till the end
of the fifteenth century AD Sri Lanka was a unit of the civilisation
of India282. In a similar manner Geiger stated that the Sinhalese
literature may be said to be a respectable offshoot of Indian
literature and in his evaluation of the architectural achievements of
the country he seems convinced that for the most part the architects
came from India283. According to these scholars, the major reasons
for this view of the Indian cultural influence on the Sri Lankan
society are as follows. The main religions of the people of the
island, Buddhism and Hinduism came from India. The Sinhalese
and Tamil scripts and the Sinhalese and Tamil languages are also
derived from the same source284. Of these particularly, the
275 For instance see GC Mendis, The early history of Ceylon, YMCA Publishing House,
fifth edition, Calcutta, 1948, pp.65-66; Ceylon today and yesterday: Main currents of
Ceylon History, The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Colombo, 1957; M.D.
Raghavan, India in Ceylonese history society and culture, Indian Council for Cultural
Relations, Asian Publishing House, New Delhi, 1969, especially the fourth chapter
titled “The Indian period of Ceylon history.”
276 GC Mendis, The early history of Ceylon, YMCA Publishing House, fifth edition,
Calcutta, 1948, pp.16-17.
277 W Geiger, Culture of Ceylon in medieval times, ed. Heinz Bechert, Wiesbaden, 1960,
pp.75 and 92.
278 M.D. Raghavan, India in Ceylonese history society and culture, Indian Council for
Cultural Relations, Asian Publishing House, New Delhi, 1969, especially the fourth
chapter titled “The Indian period of Ceylon history.”
279 GC Mendis, Ceylon today and yesterday: Main currents of Ceylon History, The
Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Colombo, 1957.
280 Hema Ellawala, Social history of early Ceylon, Department of Cultural Affairs,
Government Printers, Colombo, 1969.
281 Ibid; Nicholas’s view is also the same. See CW Nicholas, “Professions and
occupations in the early Sinhalese kingdom,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society
(Ceylon Branch) New Series, 1956, p.70.
282 GC Mendis, Ceylon today and yesterday: Main currents of Ceylon History, The
Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Colombo, 1957, p.29.
283 W Geiger, Culture of Ceylon in medieval times, ed. Heinz Bechert, Wiesbaden, 1960,
pp.75 and 92.
284 GS Gai, Introduction to Indian epigraphy, Occasional Monograph Series No.32,
Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, 1986, pp.15-16 and 43.
285 Wilhelm Geiger, “The linguistic character of Sinhalese,” Journal of the Royal Asiatic
Society, (Ceylon Branch), Vol.XXXIV, No.90, 1937, p.18; See also CE Godakumbura,
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
86
“The Dravidian element in Sinhalese,” Bulletin of School of Oriental and African
Studies, 1946, pp.837-41; David Diringer, The alphabet, Hutchinson, London, Vol.I,
3rd ed, 1968, pp.303-304.
GC Mendis, The early history of Ceylon and its relations with India and other foreign
countries, Asian Education Series, New Delhi, 1985, pp.9-10.
GC Mendis, Ceylon today and yesterday: Main currents of Ceylon History, The
Associated Newspapers of Ceylon, Colombo, 1957, p.29.
M.D. Raghavan, India in Ceylonese history society and culture, Indian Council for
Cultural Relations, Asian Publishing House, New Delhi, 1969, p.94.
Lorna Dewaraja, “Cultural relations between Sri Lanka and north India during the
Anuradhapura period,” Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. X, Nos. 1 & 2, 1987,
p.2.
“It was found necessary to have the canonical literature that had till then existed in the
form of Sinhala commentaries translated in to Pali and treatises of exegetical nature
compiled for the use of students of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and abroad. This
responsible task was entrusted to a versatile scholar-monk named Buddhaghosa who
came from the Tamil country” Gunapala Senadheera, “Cultural contacts between India
and Sri Lanka through bhikkhus, scholars and pilgrims,” Sri Lanka and the silk road of
the sea, ed. S. Bandaranayake and others, The Sri Lanka National Commission for
UNESCO and the Central Cultural Fund, Colombo, 1990, p.137.
J. Ph. Vogel, “Prakrit inscriptions from a Buddhist site at Nagargunakonda,”
Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XX, 1929-30, pp.1-37 & especially pp.9-10.
“Pasadika Jambudipe sasanena bahu jana” The Dipavamsa, ed. Hermann Oldernberg,
London, 1879, chap.18; 31-33vv. For further details please refer to RALH
Gunawardana, “Buddhist nuns in ancient and early medieval Sri Lanka and their role
in the propagation of Buddhism,” The Sri Lanka Journal of the Humanities, Vol.XIV,
No. 1&2, 1988, pp.1-60.
life of the Buddha. 299
cast themselves in the role of missionaries in India292. Hence it is
clear that the civilisations of India and Sri Lanka followed lines of
historical development, which were both interdependent and
resonant though this has not been accepted by the ancient literary
traditions of both countries.
At the same time, it is to be noted that many scholars have
expressed the view that a very close affinity can be seen between
the extinct artistic traditions of the two countries also.300
According to them, this close affinity is confirmed by the earliest
Sri Lankan sculptures found at Kantaka cetiya in Mihintale, which
are similar to the earliest school of Indian sculpture at Barhut and
Sanchi301. It is also believed that one can notice the connection with
the mainland in sculptures now exhibited in the National Museum
in Colombo and the archaeological museums at Anuradhapura and
elsewhere in the island. Accordingly, these sculptures found in Sri
Lanka are in the Amaravati style, for instance the
Mahailuppallama image is in the style which is characteristic of the
standing Buddha images of Anuradhapura; there is no doubt that it
was fashioned in the Amaravati (Vengi) region and imported to Sri
Lanka302. In addition, it is said that the fragments of Buddha images
in Amaravati style and in the marble distinctive of that school, have
also been found at other places in the island and a number of basreliefs in this same marble, imported from the same source, have
been found at Anuradhapura and other sites303. Besides, it is
believed that the bronze Buddha statue from Badulla is also not
very different from some of the metal images of Buddha of the
Amaravati School304 and the figure of the so-called king
Duttagamini from Anuradhapura too recalls contemporary
Amaravati models, as does the monolithic seated Buddha305. It is
further assumed that under the influence of the mainland,
especially from the early Buddhist art of Amaravati, there are
beautifully proportioned guard stones, dwarfs, snakes, with three,
five or seven hoods, of exquisite workmanship at Anuradhapura.306
Besides these ancient literary interpretations, it is significant that
the early historians have also sometimes been shown to be
erroneous particularly when speaking of the facts on Indo-Sri
Lankan cultural relationship during the ancient period. This of
course is in the natural order of things. With the increasing volume
of new archaeological data and with more sophisticated techniques
of historical research, earlier beliefs can become out dated. Hence,
modern scholars will no doubt disagree with the early historian's
above periodisation of the history of the island and the
interpretations of the Indo-Sri Lankan cultural relations where the
discussions follow the pattern of the early chronicles293. As a result,
modern scholars are inclined to view the history of Sri Lanka from
a different stance. Particularly historians today are looking more at
the inner dynamism, which shaped the history and culture of the
island and more importantly there is increasing evidence that the
cultural horizons of Sri Lanka extended far beyond the confines of
India.294
However, as in the case of the overall history or the cultural history
of the island, it is evident that the situation is the same when
considering the artistic traditions of Sri Lanka too. The
descriptions given in the Mahavamsa are particularly important in
this respect. Accordingly, king Asoka is said to have sent to Sri
Lanka sixteen guilds of artisans with the sacred Bodhi tree in the
third century BC295. Interestingly enough, this belief is recorded in
some of the land grant manuscripts of the medieval and late
medieval periods of Sri Lanka also. The information presented in
these, particularly in relation to the Nilagama generation of
painters is very important though the descriptions are legendary in
nature296. Based on such random references it is generally believed
that it was the contact with Mauryan India and the enthusiasm for
the new faith of Buddhism that first inspired the Sri Lankan people
to creative activity in the fields of art, architecture and sculpture.
For instance, it is said that with the possible exception of a single
dolmen and three groups of cists there are no structural remains so
far brought to light that can be dated as pre-Buddhist remains297. It
is also believed that the idea of using stone for building purposes
and rock cave abodes for monks was also introduced from
Mauryan India298. Interestingly enough, due to this belief it is
evident that some writers have arrived at entirely wrong
conclusions too. For example, though nothing has been mentioned
regarding the representation of the life story of the Buddha in any
source of India or Sri Lanka during this period, some writers have
wrongly concluded that after Buddhism became established in Sri
Lanka, artists came from India, sent by King Asoka, to depict the
In this context, it is noteworthy that there is another belief that the
Gupta imperial impulse was also as strong and enduring in its
effects as the Asokan imperial impulse307. Consequently, it is
presumed that the influence of the Indian Gupta sculpture was felt
in the Isurumuniya elephant reliefs308 and the well-known relief of
the Isurumuni lovers and other sculptures found at the same
premises has the vigour and refinement of the Gupta period209. In
addition to these artistic works of carvings and statues, it is a
common assumption among scholars that this period witnessed the
glory of classical Sanskrit literature too310. Consequently, it is
believed that a highly rated Sanskrit work composed in Sri Lanka
by Kumaradasa known as the Janakiharana bears unmistakable
influence of Kalidasa's Raghuvamsa311. Besides, it is believed that
carved on the face of a low cliff of granolithic boulders
overhanging a partly artificial tank at the site, we may observe
carvings in a 'pure Pallava style.' According to such critics, isolated
in a kind of niche is a relief of the sage Kapila, seated on the plains
of hell and not only are the proportions of the figure remarkably
close to the work at Mamallapuram, but the suggestion of the
form's emergence from the matrix of the rock is also in the same
293 W Geiger, Culture of Ceylon in medieval times, ed. Heinz Bechert, Wiesbaden, 1960,
pp.xxii-xiii.
294 Senaka Bandaranayake, “The periodisation of Sri Lankan history and some related
historical and archaeological problems,” Asian panorama: Essays in Asian history, past
and present, ed. KM De Silva and others, Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi, 1990,
p.5.
295 Mahavamsa, tr. W Geiger, Pali Text Society, London, 1934, chap.19; 1-4vv.
296 M Somathilake, An inquiry into the social status of the Buddhist mural painters of late
medieval period of Sri Lanka, Paper read at Jawaharlal Nehru University, 28th August
1999, pp.2-6.
297 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the early period: Religion and art,” University of
Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo,
Vol.I, pt. I, 1959, p.256.
298 Andreas Nell, “The influence of Indian art in Ceylon,” The influence of Indian art, ed.
F.H. Andrews, The India Society, London, 1925, p.146.
299 Argns John Tresidder, Ceylon: An introduction to the resplendent land, D Van
Nostrand co, Canada, 1960, p.199.
300 For further details please refer to M.D. Raghavan, India in Ceylonese history society
and culture, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Asian Publishing House, New
Delhi, 1969, pp.94-113; Andreas Nell, “The influence of Indian art in Ceylon” The
influence of Indian Art, ed. F.H. Andrews, Delhi Printers Prakashan, Delhi, 1978.
301 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the early period: Religion and art,” University of
Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo,
Vol.I, pt. I, 1959, pp.264-265.
302 S Paranavitana, Sinhalayo, Lake House Investments, Colombo, 1967, p.18.
303 Ibid, p.18.
304 C Sivaramamurti, The art of India, (Translation of L’Art en Inde, 1974), Harry N
Abrams Publishers, New York, 1977, p.196.
305 Ibid, p.196.
306 Mulk Raj Anand, India in colour, Themes and Hudson, London, 1958, pp.75-76.
307 Andreas Nell, “The influence of Indian art in Ceylon,” The influence of Indian art, ed.
F.H. Andrews, The Indian Society, London, 1925, pp.145-151.
308 Mulk Raj Anand, India in colour, Themes and Hudson, London, 1958, pp.75-76.
309 S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the period: Religion, literature and art,” University of
Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo,
Vol.I, Part I, 1959, pp.393-394.
310 Ibid, pp.393-394.
311 See Lorna Dewaraja, “Cultural relations between Sri Lanka and north India during the
Anuradhapura period,” Sri Lanka Journal of Social Sciences, Vol. X, Nos. 1 & 2, 1987,
p.19.
312 Benjamin Rowland, The art and architecture of India: Buddhist Hindu Jain, Penguin
Books Ltd, USA, 1953, p.370.
87
view that not only the painting tradition of ancient Sri Lanka
borrowed from India, but that Sri Lankan artists were also trained
by Indian artists.315
technique.
Due to this belief, even contrary to the above assumption of the socalled Gupta influence on the Isurumuniya carvings, some others
have concluded that the carvings of elephants at the site,
submerged in a nearby pool of lotus-filled water, look like early
Pallava carvings312. Similarly, though chronologically later, some
have presumed that at Anuradhapura a dagoba of the first century
BC has elephants as caryatids, a feature that is also found at
Mahabalipuram and at Ellora belonging to the later periods313.
According to such critics, this close similarity between the artistic
traditions of India and Sri Lanka is demonstrated not only through
the stone sculpture, carving or architecture alone, but through the
Buddhist wall painting tradition also314. It is evident that in this
assumption, some critics have gone to the extreme to express the
In contrast, it seems that at least the cultural associations between
the inhabitants of Sri Lanka and India are very ancient and have
been continuous since prehistoric times, the geomorphology of the
region permitting a relatively free flow of peoples and their
cultures. It is, also evident that some of the cultural developments
had close parallels with those taking place on the Indian mainland
at least from the early historical period onwards. Accordingly, it is
clear that the geographical location of Sri Lanka in relation to India
is such that any major upheaval in the mainland, whether political,
cultural or religious was bound to generate repercussions in the
island, eventually.
313 C Sivaramamurti, The art of India, (Translation of L’Art en Inde, 1974), Harry N
Abrams Publishers, New York, 1977, pp.195-196.
314 Benjamin Rowland, The Art and architecture of India Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Penguin
Books, USA, 1953, pp.216 and 370; For further details please refer to Nandadeva
Wijesekara, Early Sinhalese paintings, Saman Press, Maharagama, 1959, (especially
second and sixth chapters); “Sinhalese art with special reference to Sigiriya,” Selected
writings, Tisara Press, Dehivala, 1983, pp.252-257; S Paranavitana, “Civilisation of the
early period: Religion and art,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray
and others, Ceylon University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, pt. I, 1959, pp.407-409; C.W.
Nicholas & S. Paranavitana, A concise history of Ceylon, Ceylon University Press,
Colombo, 1961; RC Majumdar, “Foundation of Gupta power in India and its relations
with Ceylon,” University of Ceylon History of Ceylon, ed. HC Ray and others, Ceylon
University Press, Colombo, Vol.I, pt. I, 1959, p.273; M.D. Raghavan, India in
Ceylonese history society and culture, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Asian
Publishing House, New Delhi, 1969, p.94; Krishna Chaitanya, A history of Indian
painting: The mural tradition, Abhinav Publications, New Delhi, 1976, p.51; V.A.
Smith, A history of fine arts in India and Ceylon, D.B. Tharaporevala sons & co,
Bombay, (reprinted) 1969, p.100; A Ghose, Ajanta Murals: An album of eighty five
reproductions in colour, Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, 1967, p.17;
Andreas Nell, “The influence of Indian art in Ceylon” The influence of Indian Art, ed.
F.H. Andrews, Delhi Printers Prakashan, Delhi, 1978; GC Mendis, The early history of
Ceylon and its relations with India and other foreign countries, Asian Education Series,
New Delhi, 1985.
315 See M Somathilake, Ancient Buddhist mural paintings of India and Sri Lanka, Godage
International Publishers, Colombo, 2002, pp.786.
88
Role of Sanskrit in the Cultural interface between
Sri Lanka and India
Dr. Uma Shankaer Vyas
of Pali in Srilanka, contributed immensely for the revival of Pali
studies in Majjhima-desa or the Hindi-speaking heart-land of
modern India. Nava Nalanda Mahavihara the institution dedicated
for the revival of Pali studies was established in 1956 by the efforts
of Late. Ven. Bhikkhu J. Kashyap, whose main source of
inspiration was Srilanka. The publication of entire Pali Tipitaka in
42 vols. for the first time in an Indian alphabet is a natural outcome
of the age-long cultural interface between Jambu-dvipa and
Dhamma-dipa.
According to Oxford1 Dictionary interface means a point where
two things meat and inter-act. In other words, every process of
interface consists of reciprocal action or influence. Herein one acts
in such a way as to have an effect on another. Here, it is essential to
point out that the Sinhalese and Indians had close cultural ties even
prior to the great historical mission of elder Mahinda.
Linguistically Sinhali language was one of the member of indoAryan family and ethnically Sinhelese were not different from the
people of Lata-desa or majjhima-desa. Therefore, according to
Prof. Malalsekera, they had no problem in receiving the Dhamma
of the Buddha from the mainland. “They had no difficulty in
assimilating the philosophical culture of a religion, which have
come into birth and attained to power in a country which they
themselves claim as the motherland, they were Orasa-jata
(blossom-born) children of India, their lives and minds nourished
on her age- long, yet living and growing tradition ”.2
Dr. Uma Shankar Vyas
Dr. Uma Shankar Vyas is Editor of Pali-English Dictionary in
Nava Nalanda Mahavihara,Nalanda. He has worked as
Registrar and Director of Nava Nalanda Mahavihara,
Nalanda. He is M.A. in Sanskrit and also in Pali (Gold
Medalist) from Banaras Hindu University (India). He is Ph.D.
on the topic 'Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhism', Magadh
University, Bodhgaya. He has also worked as Lecturer of
Sanskrit and Pali in the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara for more
than 30 years. He has also taught Buddhist Sanskrit texts to
post-graduate students of Philosophy and scholars from
abroad for more than 35 years. Prof. Vyas also visited
Ryukoku University Kyoto, Japan, as Visiting Research
Fellow in 1977, sponsored by Japan Society for the
Promotion of Sciences (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of Japan).
Under his supervision/guidance, more than 15 Indian 8
foreign research scholars got their Ph.D. degree from
Magadh University in the Department of Pali, Sanskrit,
Philosophy, and Ancient Indian & Asian Studies. He also
researched on Central Asian Buddhist Manuscripts with
Porf. T. Inokuchi of Ryukoku University, Kyoto (Japan). He
has written three books on Buddhism and Pali language and
another three books are under preparation. His more than 30
research papers on different aspects of Buddhism were
published in different research journals of India.
Elder Mahinda’s visit to Srilanka was the first Cultural interface
between India and Srilanka through Buddhism in which India
played positive role and it had strong effect on the socio-religious
culture of Srilanka. This process continued for centuries and by the
end of 4th century Sinhalese were ready to pay back the debt with
interest to mainland India. The compilation of Atthakathas in Pali
are the living examples of this second cultural inter-action in which
the Theravada tradition of Mahavihara played positive role.
It is essential to remember that when close cultural relations were
strengthened during the reign of emperor Asoka and the Theravada
parampara was firmly established in the land of Srilanka, after that
anything against this orthodox tradition was outrightly rejected.
On the other hand the traditional Theravada lost its ground in the
mainland and was replaced by other Buddhist sects such as the
Mahasanghikas, the Sammitiyas and the Sarvastivadins. Several
doctrinal changes emerged in the Abhidhamma of these Buddhist
sects. However, there are no evidences to prove any meaningful
interaction between orthodox Buddhist church of Mahavihara of
Srilanka and the new Buddhist schools developed in India. Xuan
Zang,3 the famous Chinese traveler has given many details of the
construction of Mahabodhi Sangharama at Bodhgaya by
Ceylonese king Meghavanna. These details are confirmed by a
copper plate inscription of the same king. From these details it is
inferred that Ceylon monks (Orthodox Thervadins) were not held
in high respect in India because their views were not accepted even
by the Indian Buddhist Monks belonging to different sects which
developed new AHIDHAMMA. The gap between Orthodox
Theravada tradition and the later Buddhsit sects had grown wider
and wider denying any possibility of any interaction between the
two. We can see clear traces of this attitude even in Srilanka’s
First of all I, most humbly, would like to pay my respect and
sincerely express sense of gratitude to those Mahatheras of
Srilanka, who are mainly responsible for providing a solid ground
for the revival of the study of Pali language and literature as well as
Buddhist studies in modern India. For centuries we remained in
total darkness about our own most precious national treasure of the
Saddhamma and are highly indebted to the great Theriya-parapara
of Srilanka, not only for faithfully preserving the earliest authentic
version of the teachings of the Tathagata in the form of Pali
Tipitaka but also adding new dimensions to it by composing great
commentaries chronicles, compendiums, tikas, Anutikas and
above all books on secular subjects like grammar, prosody,
lexicon, poetics, medicine, poetry etc. and thereby enriching
India’s own national treasure in every respect.
Srilanka’s traditional centers of Pali-learning are also the main
sources even for modern-day Pali studies in India. Late Ven.
Mahapandit Rahula Sakrityayana, Late Ven. Ananda
Kausalyayana and Late Bhikkhu J. Kasyapa, are the three leading
personalities who, after being well-equipped with the knowledge
89
Age-long cultural interaction between India and Srilanka had deep
impact on the linguistcal aspects of Ceylonese culture. It may be
seen clearly in the form of gradually increasing influence of
Sanskrit Language on Sinhali and later Pali writings. In the
linguistic survey of Srilanka it is clearly observed by scholars that
besides Sinhali and Pali, Classical Sanskrit was gradually coming
into use and rapidly became the medium for the study of scholarly
secular works composed in India. It is interesting to observe that
unlike Mahayanists and Sarvastivadins of India Srilanka’s
Theravadains did not replace Magadhi or Pali by Sanskrit, nor did
they adopt hybrid or mixed Sanskrit which was adopted for the
Mahayana sutras in India. Most probably the adaptation of
Sanskrit by Srilankans is not an outcome of the interaction between
the Buddhists of India and Srilanka. It is assumed that intimate
relations existed between the Tamils and the Sinhalese settlers
from an early period of the history of Ceylon and there presence in
the island might have proved helpful in attracting the intellectuals
for the study of Sanskrit.
Theriya Parampara represented by the Mahavihara. “The disfavor
with which Ceylon kings and monks viewed any encroachment by
Vaitulya doctrines on the Theravada Buddhism of the Island had
made it impossible for much exchange of scholarship to take place
between the two countries”.4
There are evidences to show that Vaitulya-Vada and some form of
Mahayana existed and become Vital time to time in Ceylon, Fahien, the famous Chinese pilgrim, tells us that Mahavihara monks
were opposed to the Mahayana teachings and adhered to the
teachings of Hina-yana. But in Abhayagiri school both vehicles
were studied.5 Fa-hien took with him a copy of Mahisasaka Vinaya,
Dirghagama, Samyuttagama and Samyutta-sañcaya-pitaka, all
written in Sanskrit.6 It shows that in Srilanka there existed school
like Mahisasaka and Sanskrit was the language used by some
Buddhist sects in Srilanka. According to Nikaya Sangraha,
Mahadaliyatissa accepted the teachings of Dhammarucinikaya of
Vajjiputtaka sects in India and thenceforth the Abhayagiri school
was known as Dhammruchinikaya.7
It seems probable that in the beginning Sanskrit language
influenced the vocabulary and syntax of Sinhali. Soon after
learning the elements of Sanskrit the Ceylonese writer introduced
Sanskrit forms in their writings of high Sinhalese. Later on
Sinhlese authors composed several works in pure Sanskrit.
Buddhadasa a king of Srilanka, compiled his memorable work
“Sarartha-sangraha in pure Sanskrit”. Candragomi vyakarana
pañjika aand shabdartha cinta] these two works of Sanskrit
grammar were written by Elder ratnashrijñana also called
ratnamatipada in about 11th Century A.D. Kumara Dhatusena or
Kumaradasa composed a melodious Sanskrit poem
“Janakiharana.” Composition of such works in pure Sanskrit
indicates that more attention began to be given to secular subjects
and Sanskrit comes to be regarded as being of the first importance
for that purpose.
However no trace of their literature is left. Most probably the
rulers of Ceylon, owing to their strong attachment to Theriya
Parampara saw to it that not a vestige of their heretical teachings
should remain. There are many examples of the rigid attitude of the
Theravadins against the thoughts of other Buddhist sects. In a
passage of Samantapasadika8 it is reported that during the reign of
Srilankan king Bhatiya (38-66 A.D.) a dispute arose between the
monks of the Abhayagiri and the Mahavihara schools for a rule of
the Vinaya. The king appointed a minister, the Brahmana
Dighakarayana to decide the case. This Brahma˜a was wise and
versed in other languages: “Pandito Bhasantarakusalo”.
Thus this person was not reputed for the knowledge of Vinaya
rules but was proficient in languages. From this fact same9
scholars infer that the main reason of the differences between the
monks of these two monasteries was more of a linguistic nature
than of a doctrinal. The Abhayagiri Vihara was greatly influenced
by Mahayana in which the texts were preserved in Sanskrit, not in
Pali. The choice of a Brahmana minister well versed in Sanskrit
also confirms this hypothesis. There are also no traces of any
impact of Srilanka’s Theriya Parampara on the Philosophical
writings of Vaibhatikas, Sautrantikas, Yogacara and Madhyamika
schools of Indian Buddhism.
It is probable that regular exchange of visits by Indian and
Srilankan monks must have facilitated some sort of interaction
between two nations. Although impact of these interactions are not
clearly visible and is not firmly admitted by the Theravada
tradition of Srilanka, however major shift in the Atthakathas from
the original position of the Tipitaka concerning the Buddhahood or
Buddha-nature, the introduction of the process of cognition (cittavithi) not discussed in the early Abhidhamma and installation of
the icons of Buddha or the worship of the Buddha Pratima etc.
seem to show some sort of impact of Indo-Ceylonese interface.
According to some9 western writers Buddhaghosa, who was
acquainted with the developed Buddhist doctrines in India, has an
interesting doctrine of the relations of sanna, (perception), vinnana
and panna and gave idealistic interpretation of aspects of sensation
and feeling which in the early writings was perceived as an
interaction of material and psychic factors. The Vaibhatikas and
Sautrantikas also accepted the real interaction of matter and mind
in the process of knowing. It seems that Buddhaghosa accepted in
effect vijnanavada doctrine propounding that object of perception
is mere subjective (ideal or reflection of mind). The concepts of
Bhavatga and Citta-vithi also seem to be an outcome of the IndoCeylonese Cultural interface.
The Ceylon Pali Writings of later periods –
Mahabodhivamsa, written in the last quarter of 10th century by a
Ceylonese monk Upatissa marks the beginning of the period of
Sanskritized Pali. There are distinct traces of the influences of
Sanskrit on the Pali language of the book. Sometimes Pali words
are used in their Sanskrit sense, sometimes we see the use of such
Sanskrit words which are not found at all in the old Pali literature.
Some of them are: i)
ii)
Udite Bhuvanasekhare11
Parapata-caranapatalarage12
It is clear that the style of this work is different from earlier
Sinhalese Pali writings. The style is artificial and the whole tone
and manner of this work betray the beginning of a tendency to use a
kind of sanskritized Pali. Even the authors of such Pali works as
Dathavamsa and Saddhammopayana make frequent use of such
Pali words which were derived or phonetically transformed from
Sanskrit. They turned into Pali several Sanskrit words they found
either in Amarakosa or in the course of their readings of certain
Sanskrit poetic compositions and used them as Pali words.
Use of words like Antarala,13 avadata,14 cam¨pati,15 dhavala,16
N¨tana,17 nikhila,18 bhuwana,19 saroruha,20 dijapavara21 and
jampati,22 etc., are the clear evidences of sanskritization of Pali in
latter Pali writings of Srilanka.
Uses of such words as samatta23 (Sanskrit samapta) cittañceti24
inseted of cittañaati, kriyacittani25 instead of kiriya-cittani and
vuccare26 in the Abhidhammatthasangaho also indicate the same
tendency.
90
literature and the most remarkable outcome of the cultural
interface between Srilanka and India.
Pali poetic compositions of Srilanka also had strong impact of
ornamented Sanskrit poetry of later periods containing high-flown
metaphors and ornately elaborated descriptions. In Jinalanakara of
elder Buddharakkhita we see clear traces of artificiality in
construction with such poetic devices as internal rhymes and
alliterations etc., For instance we see the artificiality of mere
decoration of sounds in the following verse : -
References:
1.
Oxford Dictionary, pp.736-738.
Malalasekera, G.P. : The Pali literature of Ceylon, p.1.
3.
Memories II, pp.13
4.
Malalasekera, G.P. : The Pali literature of Ceylon, p.69.
5.
Beal; Buddhist records of the Western World, Vol. II, p.247.
6.
Legge; Travels of Fa-hian, p.111.
7.
Nikaya-sangraha, Colombo, 1922, p.11.
8.
Samanta-pasadika, III, 582-83.
9.
Adikaram: Early History of Buddhist in Ceylon, p.88ff.
10.
A.B. Keith, Buddhist Philosophy, p.195 ff.
11.
Mahabodhivamsa, p.5.
12.
Ibid, p.61.
13.
Datha-Vamsa, 3.53.
14.
Ibid, 3.14.
15.
Ibid, 1.4.
16.
Ibid, 1.5.
17.
Ibid, 1.8.
18.
Ibid, 1.7.
19.
Ibid, 1.9.
20.
Ibid, 1.10.
21.
Ibid, 4.43.
22.
Ibid, 4.25.
23.
Abhidhammattha-sangaho, p.2.
24.
Ibid,3.
25.
Ibid.
26.
Ibid.
27.
Jinalankara, 122.
28.
Kiratarjuniyam 15.14.
29.
Dhvanyaloka, p.220.
2.
No nanino nanunani nanenani nananino
Nunanenani nunanna nananannanena27
it is clearly an imitation of the following Sanskrit verse of
Kiratarajuniyam: nanonanunno nunnono nananananananananu
nunnoanunno nanunneno nanena nunnanunna nut28
According to Dhvanyaloka this is such type of poetry which has no
charm of suggested element and is regarded as the lowest poetry
and is called citrakavya or picture poetry: rasabhavaditatparyarahitm
vya/ yarthavisheshaprakashanashnkashunyam ca kavyam kevala
vacyavacakavaicitramatrashrayenopanibaddhe
alekhyaprakhyam yadavabhasate taccitram29
Similarly Pajjamadhu of Buddhappiya Thera, is a beautiful poetic
composition of Sanskritized Pali composed in ornate language.
There are similar Pali compositions of Srilanka which are glaring
examples of the linguistical interaction between India and
Ceylon).
As a result of the deep interest in the study of Sanskrit more
attention began to be given on secular subjects like prosody,
poetics, grammar, lexicography, poetic compositions etc. Hitherto
nothing was written on these secular subjects. Pali and Sinhalese
works like Subodhala˜kara Vuttodaya, Abhidhammappadipika,
Balavatara and Siyabas-lakara were composed on the imitation of
earlier Sanskrit works and can not claim to propound any original
conception of the subject concerned. However being the only Pali
writings on these secular subjects they are excellent contributions
of the great monks-scholars of Srilanka for the enrichment of Pali
91
Cultural Interface Between India And Sri Lanka Based on
Buddhist History, Art, Literature And Philosophy
The Guiding Principles o Intellectual and Philosophical Thought
Introduced to Sri Lanka with Buddhism
Prof. P. D. Premasiri
the advent of Vijaya as marking the beginnings of the Sinhala race.
However, it was after the introduction of Buddhism that a
distinctively Buddhist culture with all the intellectual,
philosophical, ethical, literary and aesthetic elements came to be
established in the country maintaining its unbroken continuity to
the present day despite the numerous vicissitudes of fortune that
the country has gone through during its long recorded history. In
this paper attention will be focused mainly on the intellectual and
philosophical impact of Indian culture hrough the great religious
and philosophical tradition that was introduced to Sri Lanka in the
third century BCE turning Sri Lanka into the principal centre for
Theravada Buddhism.
Prof. P.D. Premasiri
Prof. P.D. Premasiri is Professor Emeritus of Pali and
Buddhist Studies, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies,
University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. He did Master of Arts
from the University of Cambridge, England. Later, he
obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy
from the University of Hawaii on the topic 'Moral Evaluation
in Early Buddhism: From the Perspective of Western
Philosophical Analysis. Visiting Professor, Department of
Philosophy and Religion, Colby College, Waterville, Maine,
U.S.A. Courses Taught: (1) Buddhist Ethics, (2) Fact and
Value. Commenced research on Christian Doctrinal
approaches to Human Sexuality for purposes of comparison
with Buddhism. He attended the Annual Meeting of the
American Association of Religion held in Chicago. He also
visited University of North Carolina, Asheville Campus,
Austin Community College, Minnesota and University of
Maine, Presque Isle Campus for lectures on Buddhist
Philosophy on the Fulbright Occasional Lecture Program.
He was appointed Visiting Professor, Department of
Philosophy, Washington State University, U.S.A. from
August 2004 to December 2004. He won the Prize for Pali
subject awarded to the best student in the final degree
examination, University of Ceylon, Peradeniya. He got
Government University Scholarship in Oriental Studies,
University of Ceylon, Peradeniya, East-West Center
Scholarship for Post-Graduate work in Comparative
Philosophy at the University of Hawaii, U.S.A., Fulbright
Scholar-in-residence Fellowship attached to the
Department of Philosophy and Religion, Colby College,
Waterville Maine, Guest Researcher Award from the
University of Bergen, Norway, and Bauddhaloka Award for
service to Buddhist learning in July 2006. He has written
many books and articles on Buddhism.
Ven. Walpola Rahula makes the observation: “Before Buddhism
came to Ceylon in the third century B.C. there was evidently no
national or state religion systematically organized in the Island. To
use the words of Hiuen Tsiang, “the kingdom of Sinhala formerly
was addicted to immoral religious worship””1 There is evidence of
the existence of primitive cults connected with spirit worship,
deity worship and tree worship along with some of the more
established religious groups representing the ramaa and Brhmana
traditions of India.2 Buddhism did not displace altogether those
popular pre-Buddhist beliefs and cults that existed in Sri Lanka,
but after its introduction to the country absorbed them into the
popular ritualistic belief system and practices. Yet, the unique
intellectual and empirical characteristics of the type of Buddhism
introduced to Sri Lanka came to be preserved and deeply enriched
in the continuing philosophical developments that took place in the
country. Thus Sri Lankan Theravda Buddhism has a legitimate
claim to have preserved and maintained the identity of the unique
philosophical vision of the Buddha that originated in India and
which was characterized by the founder himself as the
philosophical Middle Way in order to distinguish it from other
theories of reality.
When one considers the pre-Buddhist Indian religious and
philosophical background Buddhism marks a clear break with the
past in its intellectual and philosophical approaches. This,
however, does not mean that pre-Buddhist Indian thought made no
contribution to the philosophical principles that developed with
the emergence of Buddhism. While recognizing the process of
ideological development that took place in India even from the
time of the civilizations of Mohenjodaro and Harappa the unique
and distinctive contribution to world philosophy made by the
Buddha cannot be ignored. A claim made by the Buddha in his very
first encounter with an audience of five ascetics, who were
prepared to listen to what he was intent on teaching at the deer park
of Isipatana in Benares, soon after his enlightenment, was that he
discovered truths that had not come down in previous authoritative
and sacred traditions. He claimed that an altogether new vision,
knowledge, science, and light had dawned upon him (pubbe
ananussutesu dhammesu cakkhuṃ udapdi ñaṃ udapdi vijjā
udapdi loko udapdi).
There is no doubt that the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka
during the reign of emperor Asoka of India marked a turning point
in Sri Lankan culture. Although there is evidence to the effect that
Indian culture had an impact on Sri Lankan society even before the
introduction of Buddhism, it is clear that the distinctive character
of Sri Lankan culture had its beginnings with the introduction of
Buddhism in the third century BCE. It is possible that elements of
Indian culture were present in Sri Lanka even prior to the
introduction of Buddhism due to colonization that is likely to have
taken place as early as the sixth or fifth centuries BCE by Indian
tribes as related in the Sri Lankan chronicles in their reference to
He claimed to have become awakened to novel truths. These novel
truths were considered to be subtle and comprehensible only to the
wise (nipuo paitavedanyo).
92
someone who does not over-generalize regarding questions put to
him giving categorical answers to every question, but resolves
issues approaching
The Buddhist historiography of Sri Lanka has reported the historic
introduction of Buddhism to the Island giving special emphasis to
the point that the new vision introduced to the country was
considered by the very persons who introduced it as one which
required intelligence and clear thinking for its proper
comprehension. The Buddha, in his own words did emphasize that
his teaching is for those with wisdom and not for those deficient in
wisdom (paññavato ayaṃ dhammo nyaṃ dhammo
duppaññassa).3 The Samantapsdikā giving a detailed account of
the encounter between King Devnampiyatissa and Arahant
Mahinda on Missaka mountain mentions that the latter introduced
the group of visitors that took the king by surprise as recluses,
disciples of the Dhamma Lord (dhammarjassa savak) who had
arrived from Jambudpa for the sake of nothing else but through
compassion for the king and the inhabitants of the Island. They
made it clear that they had come to introduce to the land the
teaching of the enlightened Buddha.
them analytically (vibhajjavdo kho ahamettha, mnava; nhamettha
ekasavdo).5 The Buddha is known to have responded to questions
put to him in four ways (1) providing categorical answers to some
questions (ekasavykaraya), (2) providing analytical answers to
others vibhajjavykaraya), (3) providing an answer to the
questioner by counter questioning him (paipucchvykaraya) and
finally (4) putting aside the question considering the question itself
as a logically confused and unfit question (hapanya). In the
Kathvatthu Sutta of the Aguttaranikya the Buddha says that an
intelligent conversation can be carried out with another person
only if such a person is proficient in discriminating between these
ways of dealing with an issue.6
According to Theravda literary sources, at the third council held
primarily under the leadership of the Theravda teachers, and under
the patronage of King Asoka, an attempt was made to rid the
Buddhist community of persons holding heretical doctrines who
had entered it for the material benefits that they anticipated by
being with the Buddhist community. It is reported that the process
of cleansing took place by ascertaining at the council how they
conceived the Buddha’s theoretical standpoint in his teachings
about reality. According to this account only those who rightly
affirmed from the Theravda perspective that the Buddha was an
analyst (vibhajjavdo), were permitted to remain as members of the
community.7 Analysis is seen as a frequently followed method by
the Buddha himself in presenting his teachings. The Buddha
adopted certain categories of analysis of reality that became
standard modes of analysis, which were later elaborated in the
Abhidhamma of the Theravda tradition with sharper and deeper
analysis. There are many discourses of the Buddha, and by his
immediate disciples preserved in the Suttapiaka of the Pali canon
that have vibhaga as part of their title, indicating that their main
role is the analysis of important doctrinal concepts. This feature
continued as an unbroken Buddhist scholastic tradition in Sri
Lanka since Buddhism was introduced to the country, in the
developments of Abhidhamma analysis that occurred in the Pali
commentarial literature as well as in the literature of the
Abidhamma compendiums and their commentaries and subcommentaries until Buddhist scholarship suffered due to unsettled
political conditions in the country from about the
Before presenting the teaching, Arahant Mahinda is reported to
have put certain questions to the king in order to test his
intelligence (atthi nu kho rañño paññveyyattiyanti vmasanatthya).
The following passage from the Samantapsdika which gives the
series of questions put to the king by Arahant Mahinda clearly
illustrates the intellectual prerequisites for the understanding of an
enlightened teaching as that of the Buddha’s:
“‘Great king, what is the name of this tree?’
‘Sir, it is called a mango tree.’
‘Apart from this mango tree are there, or are there not other mango
trees?’
‘There are Sir, many other mango trees’
‘Apart from this mango tree and those mango trees, are there other
trees?’
‘There are, Sir, but they are not mango trees.’
‘Apart from those other mango trees and non-mango trees, is there
another tree?’
‘Sir it is this tree.’4
It is clear that in this instance the king’s ability to engage in clear
thinking without deriving logically contradictory or invalid
conclusions from given premises was tested. It could be counted as
an elementary test in applied class logic. Arahant Mahinda by
means of the simple test was able to be convinced that the king was
able to reason validly on questions relating to class inclusion and
class exclusion. The class of trees includes mango trees, but the
class of mango trees excludes trees that belong to other kinds.
However in whatever class or kind a tree is included it is included
in the genus called trees. A particular mango tree is one member
among a kind that shares similar characteristics while all trees
including mangoes belong to a universal genus sharing the
defining characteristics of trees. The king was able to see clearly
these formal relationships proving to be a suitable recipient of the
Enlightened One’s teaching.
12th century. It is appropriate to call the type of Buddhism that Sri
Lanka inherited from India, a religious philosophy of analysis.
An analytical and rational approach also demands the kind of
intellectual outlook that seeks to gain clarity about issues through
seeing the relation between ideas without falling into
contradictions. This outlook also can be traced to the teachings of
the Buddha himself. When the Buddha entered into discussions
with some persons who came to him with the sole intention of
demolishing some of the principle assertions that he made about
the nature of reality, he dismissed their arguments and theses, by
showing the obvious mutual contradictions in the positions that
they were trying to defend.8 If someone directly denies or says
something which implies a denial of what one formerly affirmed in
a latter statement or vice versa ( na sandhyati purimena vā
pacchima, pacchimena vā purima),9 it is good reason to reject the
thesis put forward by such a person due to the obvious
inconsistency contained therein. Consistency in one’s assertions
was considered by the Buddha as a necessary condition of truth
although it was not considered to be a sufficient condition.
It is to be noted here that by the time Buddhism was introduced to
Sri Lanka, the analytical method for the purpose of gaining a clear
and penetrative understanding of the Buddha’s teaching had
already developed among the Indian Buddhist schools. This
method had its beginnings with the original teachings of the
Buddha himself. In the Subha Sutta of the Majjhimanikya the
Buddha is questioned by the young man of Todeyya named Subha
as to whether it is the case that only a person who has renounced the
world can attain the wholesome spiritual states considered to be
attainable in the Buddhist teaching or whether even people living a
household life could attain them. The Buddha says here that he is
93
tall enough feet to reach branches of high trees. Following these
footprints one might proceed further and observe tree trunks
having been torn off in high places. Still it could be by she
elephants in the forest, having high protruding tusks. Finally, when
one proceeds further and sees with one’s own eyes a huge bull
elephant resting under the foot of a tree one should find one’s
original hypothesis to be confirmed. The Buddha points out that
regarding his teaching a person should go through the prescribed
path and finally come to a conclusion about the Buddha’s
enlightenment after personally verifying the truths he declared
through his enlightened vision. The characteristics of the Dhamma
as described in Buddhism are its openness to immediate
verification, and that it is to be personally known by the wise
through direct insight (sandihiko, paccattaṃ veditabbo viññhi).
Anyone could be confidently invited to come and see its truth
(ehipassiko). These obviously are characteristics of any scientific
enterprise. Thus we observe that with the introduction of
Buddhism in the third century B.C.E. Sri Lanka inherited an
enlightened philosophy that recognized the role of critical reason
and empirical observation, which are the two most significant
foundations of modern scientific inquiry, several centuries prior to
the emergence of such an intellectual tradition in the Western
world.
The great veneration in which the Abhidhamma teachings were
held in Sri Lankan Theravda Buddhism derives from this
intellectual attitude which valued consistency and non-confusion
of issues on the part of those who teach and study Buddhism. The
Theravda commentator, Buddhaghosa in his introduction to the
commentary to the Dhammasagai, the first book of the
Abhidhamma Piaka, mentions the Traditional Theravda attitude
towards those who wanted to devalue the Abhidhamma teachings.
It is pointed out in this context that it is in fact a person who is
conversant with the Abhidhamma who can truly be an expounder
of the Dhamma.10 Others, although they may attempt to expound
the Dhamma are likely to confuse matters. The Abhidhamma
promoted the most refined and developed standards of analytical
sharpness, logical consistency, and definitional clarity regarding
the Buddha’s teachings. Enough examples of the above can be
noted in Abhidhamma texts like the Dhtukathā and the Yamaka of
the Abhidhamma Piaka.11 When we reflect on the reported
encounter between Arahant Mahinda and King Tissa in this light
we can better
understand the purpose of the intelligence test to which the king
was subjected mentioned in this context before the Buddhist
teaching was introduced to him. Thus one aspect of
intellectualized Buddhism is the keen awareness of the principles
of formal reasoning. The keen awareness of the principles of
formal reasoning was applied in the exposition and clarification of
the Dhamma. It helped the Buddhist intellectual to achieve much
skill in applied logic which is a necessary foundation for all
rational and unconfused thinking in the search for and the
establishment of truth.
One final remark needs to be made about the uniqueness of the
philosophy which was introduced to Sri Lanka. It was a philosophy
of the Middle Way. The Buddha in his teachings insisted that he
steered clear of two philosophical extremes in his formulation of
the right view about the nature of reality.13 There is sufficient
reason to say that even to this day, apart from those who take an
agnostic or skeptical attitude to philosophy, one or the other of
what the Buddha described as the two extremes dominate the
thinking of mankind. The first is the extreme of eternalism
(sassatavda). The second is the extreme of materialism or nihilism
(ucchedavda). This unique feature of the Buddha’s teaching has
been preserved to this day during the course of several centuries of
development of Buddhist philosophy in Sri Lanka. Theravda
Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Another aspect which is notable is the empirical, or in wider terms,
the experiential approach promoted in Buddhism. The choice of
the Cahatthipadopama Sutta as the first discourse of the Buddha to
be introduced to King Devnampiyatissa by Arahant Mahinda was
not arbitrary. It shows that practically relevant truth could be
attained not merely by the exercise of reason. It requires in addition
observation of matters of fact. Reason could help us in the
formulation of consistent hypothesis, but the confirmation of
hypothesis has to depend on observation and experience. The
Cahatthipadopama Sutta presents a method of arriving at truth that
seems very similar to the modern scientific procedure of
confirming an initial hypothesis through a gradual process of
finding relevant empirical evidence.12
consistently maintained a doctrine of no-self (anatt). It is to be
noted that Buddhist traditions that developed in the Indian context
after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka veered towards the
absorption of substantialist and essentialist doctrines from which
the Buddha wished to dissociate himself. The Middle Way
philosophy of the Buddha provided a vision of reality in terms of
the notion of Dependent Arising (paiccasamuppda). The Buddha’s
concept of Dependent Arising rules out the notion of ultimate
essences. The entire universe of reality is conceived as an
interdependent and mutually related whole. It is to the credit of
Theravda philosophy that continued to develop in Sri Lanka that it
was able to preserve this uniqueness of the Buddha’s vision
without exposing itself to the strong influence of substantialist
tendencies of other Indian schools of Buddhism. One concrete
example for this is the atomic theory of matter that developed in
philosophical schools of Buddhism. With regard to this, Theravda
philosophy did give in neither to the idealism characteristic of
those Indian schools of Buddhism that rejected material existence
altogether, nor to the essentialist doctrine of Sarvstivda Buddhism
that maintained the notion of ultimate material essence in its
concept of dravya paramu. Theravda introduced the concept of
material clusters, rejecting the notion of a single ultimate material
essence that constitutes the material reality of existence.14
Theravda Buddhism in Sri Lanka always remained faithful to the
Middle Way philosophy of the Buddha which conceived of the
fluxional process of mind and matter as well as the constituent
elements of mind in itself and matter in itself as rolling on in terms
The Cahatthipadopama Sutta, mentions of a Brahmin named
Jussoi who came to the Buddha having heard of his reputation as an
exceptionally wise teacher. Just before coming to the Buddha and
entering into a discussion with him, Brahmin Jussoi had met a
Paribbjaka (an itinerant recluse) named Pilotika who praised the
Buddha as a person having unequalled wisdom. He says that just as
a skilled wild elephant trapper who enters into a forest inhabited by
elephants and observes the large foot print of an elephant would
conclude that there is in the forest a huge bull elephant, having
observed certain qualities of the Buddha, he had come to the
conclusion that the Buddha is of unequalled wisdom. When
Brahmin Jussoi reports this matter to the Buddha, the Buddha
points out that Pilotika’s is not an infallible way of arriving at a
conclusion. The Buddha teaches here a more dependable method
of establishing a hypothesis. He says that one should not rush to a
conclusion based on inadequate evidence. It is possible that
the footprint one has observed is of one of the stunted sheelephants, having broad feet. If one were to follow those footprints
one might find signs of branches of tall trees of the forest having
been broken off. Those foot prints could be of she elephants having
94
1
History of Buddhism in Ceylon (M.D. Gunasena & Co. Ltd.
Colombo, 1956) p. 34.
2
Ibid. Chapter III.
3
Aguttaranikya (Ahakanipta-Gahapativagga) 4 Samantapsdikā
(Pali Text Society, London) Vol. I, p.74)
5
Majjhimanikya (P.T.S.) Subha Sutta
6
Aguttaranikya
7
Samantapsdikā (P.T.S. Vol. I, p.61.
8
Majjhimanikya (P.T.S.) vol. I, pp. 227f.
9
Ibid. p. 232.
10
Atthaslinī (P.T.S.) pp. 28-29.
11
See Dhtukathā (PTS) P. 2 ff. for Abhidhamma explanations
regarding how each aggregate, sense field and element
is related in terms of inclusion and exclusion to other aggregates,
sense
fields and elements. See also Yakaka (P.T.S.) p. 3ff. for
the
application of class logic in defining the
exact boundaries of
Buddhist concepts. 12
Majjhimanikya (P.T.S.) Vol. I, pp. 175f.
13
Sayuttanikya (P.T.S.) Vol. II, p. 17.
14
See Y. Karunadasa Theravda Abhidhamma: An Inquiry Into the
Nature of Conditioned Reality (Centre of Buddhist Studies,
University of Hongkong 2010) Chapter 15.
of a system of dynamic mutual relationships, unexplainable by the
superimposition of any substantial essences or entities.
In summing up the foregoing discussion the following
fundamental characteristics of the teaching of the Enlightened One
inherited from the Theravda tradition of Buddhism introduced to
Sri Lanka, and consistently maintained in this country may be
highlighted. First, it was a unique philosophy of the Middle Way,
established on the basis of the novel vision of the Buddha into
Dependent co-arising (paiccasamuppda). In the teaching and study
of this new vision the highest standards in keeping to the
fundamental principles of valid formal or logical reasoning have
been maintained. Moreover, acute and sharp analytical skills have
been used in achieving clarity about the
doctrinal concepts. The experiential approach that characterized
the early teaching has always been upheld, emphasizing that the
mere study of the teaching (pariyatti) is inadequate to realize the
Buddhist goal but it is necessary also to put it into practice
(paipatti) and directly find confirmation of it in one’s life
experience (paivedha).
95
Venerable Buddhaghosa's view on Morality (Sila) as described
in the Visuddhimagga
Dr. Ram Kumar Rana
mentions Sinhalese Buddhist monks visiting India, China and
other countries and introducing the literature produced in Sri
Lanka. Monks from India and China also visited Anuradhapura
during this time to procure Buddhist books. It was about this time
that Buddhaghosa Thera came to Sri Lanka in the reign of King
Mahanama who succeeded to the throne 79 years after the death of
King Sirimeghavanna, during whose reign the Sacred Tooth Relic
was brought to Sri Lanka. The compilation of the Pali Atthakatha
(commentaries) by Buddhaghosa Thera is an important event in
the annals of Sri Lanka, which marks the progress of Buddhism.
Buddhaghosa was a 5th century Indian Theravadin Buddhist
commentator and scholar, who is best known for his work the
Visuddhimagga, or Path of Purification, which is a comprehensive
summary and analysis of the Theravada understanding of the
Buddha's path to liberation. The interpretations provided by
Buddhaghosa have generally constituted the orthodox
understanding of Theravada scriptures since at least the 12th
century CE. He is generally recognized by both Western scholars
and Theravadins as the most important commentator of the
Theravada.
Dr. Ram Kumar Rana
Dr. Ram Kumar Rana, is working as Associate Professor in
the Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi
(India). He is associated with this Department since 1979
when he got admission to pursue his post graduation in
Buddhist Studies after completion of his graduation. He has
got all his higher degrees in Buddhist Studies like M. A., M.
Phil., and Ph. D. from Department of Buddhist Studies,
University of Delhi. During his doctoral research period, he
studied in Peoples Republic of China and got training in
Chinese Language and Literature along with other aspects
of Chinese Buddhism. He was appointed as Lecturer in the
Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi after he
has returned from Peoples Republic of China in 1990. He is
having teaching experience of almost 20 years. In University
of Delhi, his job profile in the Department, is to teach
students of post graduation and supervise those research
scholars who are pursuing their M. Phil. and Ph.D courses.
Apart from the teaching assignments, he is also associated
with the Departmental journal named Buddhist Studies. He
is Editor of one of the volume of the Departmental journal. He
has presented research papers on numerous occasions on
different aspects of Buddhism from time to time in many
conferences of national and international repute in India and
abroad.
Life story of Buddhaghosa is still a mystery. The Sri Lankan
chronicle entitled the Culavamsa (Thirteenth century) and the
biography of Buddhaghosa, the Buddhaghosuppatti (compiled by
the Burmese monk Mahamangala during the early part of the
fifteenth century), speak of Buddhaghosa as the native of
Bodhagaya. Limited reliable information is available about the life
of Buddhaghosa. Three primary sources of information exist: short
prologues and epilogues attached to uddhaghooea's works; details
of his life recorded in the Mahavamsa, a Sri Lankan chronicle; and
a later biographical work called the Buddhaghosuppatti.5 A few
other sources discuss the life of Buddhaghosa, but do not appear to
add any reliable material.6 The biographical excerpts attached to
works attributed to Buddhaghosa reveal relatively few details of
his life, but were presumably added at the time of his actual
composition.7Largely identical in form, these short excerpts
describe Buddhaghosa as having come to Sri Lanka from India,
and settled in Anuradhapura.8 Besides this information, they
provide only short lists of teachers, supporters, and associates of
Buddhaghosa, whose names are not generally to be found
elsewhere for comparison.9 The Mahavamsa records that
Buddhaghosa was born into a Brahmin family in the kingdom of
Magadha. He is said to have been born near Bodh Gaya, and to
have been a master of the Vedas, traveling through India engaging
in philosophical debates.10 Only upon encountering a Buddhist
monk named Revata was Buddhaghosa bested in debate, first
being defeated in a dispute over the meaning of a Vedic doctrine,
and then being confounded by the presentation of a teaching from
the Abhidhamma. Impressed, Buddhaghosa became a Buddhist
monk and undertook the study of the Tipitaka and its
Cultural relations between India and Sri Lanka have been
traditionally close and intense,reflecting cultural and religious ties
that transcend recorded history. Relating back to the history of
Buddhism in Sri Lanka1, the Pitakas or the teachings of the
Buddha which were being handed down orally were committed to
writing in 397 b.e. (89 BCE) and the commentaries on these,
composed in Sinhalese, were also committed to writing at same
time. By about 896 b.e. (410 a.c.), when King Mahanama (410432) reigned at Anuradhapura, the fame of Buddhist literature in
Sri Lanka was well recognized throughout India and tradition
1
H.R. Perera, "Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History", Access to Insight, June 7, 2010,
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/perera/wheel100.html.
Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxvi) places Buddhaghosa's
arrival as coming during the reign of King Mahanama, between 412 and 434 CE. Also see
(Strong, John (2004), "Buddhaghosa", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan Encyclopedia
of Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA, p. 75.
2
V. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., p. 103) is more specific, estimating dates for Buddhaghosa
of 370—450 CE based on the Mahavamsa and other sources. Following the Mahavamsa,
(Bhikkhu Ñāamoli 1999, p. xxvi) places Buddhaghosa's arrival as coming during the reign
of King Mahanama, between 412 and 434 CE. Also see Strong, John, 2004,
"Buddhaghosa", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan Encyclopedia of Buddhism, USA:
Macmillan Reference USA, p. 75.
5
Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxviii.
6
v. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., p. 102.
7
V. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
3
Crosby, Kate (2004), "Theravada", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan Encyclopedia of
Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA, pp. 837.
. 102. And Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli,
trans., Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p.
xxix.
4
V. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Pali Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., p. 102. Following the Mahavamsa, Bhikkhu Ñāamoli
(1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans., Visuddhimagga: The
96
secondary sources that may have vanished in India, as evidenced
by the Mahavamsa. Early indications of this resurgence in the use
of Pali as a literary language may be visible in the composition of
the Dipavamsa and the Vimuttimagga, both dating to shortly
before Buddhaghosa's arrival in Sri Lanka. The addition of
Buddhaghosa's works- which combined the pedigree of the oldest
Sinhalese commentaries with the use of Pali, a language shared by
all of the Theravada learning centers of the time- provided a
significant boost to the revitalization of the Pali language and the
Theravada intellectual tradition, possibly aiding the Theravada
school in surviving the challenge to its position posed by emerging
Buddhist schools of mainland India.
commentaries. On finding a text for which the commentary had
been lost in India, Buddhaghosa determined to travel to Sri Lanka
to study a Sinhalese commentary that was believed to have been
preserved there.11 However, Buddhoghosa's own writings indicate
that he was living somewhere in South India, which is close to
Nagarjunakonda, before his trip to Sri Lanka. This means that he
was closely associated with the centers of Buddhist learning in
south India. Consequently, he joined the Order of Buddhist monks
and studied Buddhist philosophy diligently and produced a treatise
on Buddhism, Nanodaya and Atthasalini.12 Before composing the
commentaries on the Abhidhamma and the Suttas, his teacher
advised him to go to Anuradhapura where not only the Tipitaka but
also the Sinhalese commentaries and various expositions of the
teachings of immense value and high repute were preserved.
Buddhaghosa went on to write commentaries on most of the other
major books of the Pali Canon, with his works becoming the
definitive Theravadin interpretation of the scriptures.19 Having
synthesized or translated the whole of the Sinhalese commentary
preserved at the Mahavihara, Buddhaghosa reportedly returned to
India, making a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya to pay his respects to the
bodhi tree.20 The details of the Mahavamsa account cannot readily
be verified; while it is generally regarded by Western scholars as
having been embellished with legendary events, such as the hiding
of Buddhaghosa's text by the gods, in the absence of contradictory
evidence it is assumed to be generally accurate.21 While the
Mahavamsa claims that Buddhaghosa was born in northern India
near Bodh Gaya, the epilogues to his commentaries make
reference to only one location in India as being a place of at least
temporary residence: Kanci in southern India.22 Some scholars thus
conclude, among them Oskar von Hinüber and A.P. Buddhadatta,
that Buddhaghosa was actually born in southern India, and was
relocated in later biographies to give him closer ties to the region of
the Buddha.
After his arrival in Sri Lanka, Buddhaghosa Thera, made request of
access to the books and the same were placed at his disposal for the
preparation of Påli commentaries. But, before conceding to his
request, the elder monks sought to first test Buddhaghosa's
knowledge, by assigning him the task of elaborating the doctrine
regarding two verses of the suttas; Buddhaghosa replied by
composing the Visuddhimagga.13 His abilities were further tested
when deities intervened and hid the text of his book, twice forcing
him to recreate it from scratch.14 When the three texts were found to
completely summarize all of the Tripitaka and match in every
respect, the monks acceded to his request and provided
Buddhaghosa with the full body of their commentaries.15
Buddhaghosa's commentaries subsequently became the standard
method by which the Theravada scriptures were understood.
Thus, establishing Buddhaghoœa as the definitive interpreter of
the Theravada doctrine.16 In Sri Lanka, Buddhaghosa began to
study what was apparently a very large volume of commentarial
texts that had been assembled and preserved by the monks of the
Mahavihara.17 Buddhaghosa sought permission to synthesize the
assembled Sinhalese-language commentaries into a
comprehensive single commentary composed in the Pali
language.18
The Visuddhimagga opens with the verse, based on the query of a
certain deity. The Visuddhimagga provided special platform to
Buddhaghosa for interpretation of Buddhavacana in more
scientific manner, to answer the substantialist as well as
essentialist standpoints of the Sarvastivadins and Sautantrikas.
The Buddhaghosa has adopted the system of defining concepts
with the help of fourfold definition which demonstrates
Buddhaghosa's capacity to harmonize several strands of thought
that had by then emerged in the Buddhist tradition. The categories
that created much controversy among Buddhists are: the
elaborating the doctrine regarding two verses of the suttas;
Buddhaghosa replied by composing the Visuddhimagga.13 His
abilities were further tested when deities intervened and hid the
text of his book, twice forcing him to recreate it from scratch.14
When the three texts were found to completely summarize all of
the Tripitaka and match in every respect, the monks acceded to his
request and provided Buddhaghosa with the full body of their
commentaries.15 Buddhaghosa's commentaries subsequently
became the standard method by which the Theravada scriptures
were understood. Thus, establishing Buddhaghosa as the
definitive interpreter of the Theravada doctrine.16 In Sri Lanka,
Buddhaghosa began to study what was apparently a very large
volume of commentarial texts that had been assembled and
preserved by the monks of the Mahavihara.17 Buddhaghosa sought
permission to synthesize the assembled particular or the unique
(sabhava-svabhava) and the universal or the abstract (samannasamanya) are here introduced under the guise of characteristics
(lakkhana) and came to be identified as such in later manuals. The
In later years, Buddhaghosa's fame and influence inspired various
accolades. His life story was recorded, in an expanded and likely
exaggerated form, in a Pali chronicle known as the
Buddhaghosuppatti, or "The Development of the Career of
Buddhaghosa". Despite the general belief that he was Indian by
birth, he later may have been claimed by the Mon people of Burma
as an attempt to assert primacy over Sri Lanka in the development
of Theravada tradition. Other scholars believe that the Mon
records refer to another figure, but whose name and personal
history are much in the mold of the Indian Buddhaghosa. Finally,
Buddhaghosa's works likely played a significant role in the revival
and preservation of the Pali language as the scriptural language of
the Theravada, and as a lingua franca in the exchange of ideas,
texts, and scholars between Sri Lanka and the Theravada countries
of mainland Southeast Asia. The development of new analyses of
Theravada doctrine, both in Pali and Sinhalese, seems to have
dried up prior to Buddhaghosa's emergence in Sri Lanka. In India,
new schools of Buddhist philosophy, such as the Mahayana, were
emerging, many of them making use of classical Sanskrit both as a
scriptural language and as a language of philosophical discourse.
The monks of the Mahavihara may have attempted to counter the
growth of such schools by re-emphasizing the study and
composition in Pali, along with the study of previously disused
8
Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxixxxx.
9
of Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA, p. 76.
14
Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxxv.
Ibid.
10
11
15
Ibid. p. xxxiv.
Strong, John (2004), "Buddhaghosa", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan
Encyclopaedia of Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA, p. 76.
Ibid.
12
Ibid.
16
17
Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxxii.
http://www.palikanon.com/english/pali_names/b/buddhagosa.htm
13
Strong, John, 2004, "Buddhaghosa", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan Encyclopedia
97
This paper, Venerable Buddhaghosa's view on virtue will be an
attempt to explore by interpreting the concept, along with its
characteristic, function, manifestation and proximate cause while
highlighting its role and benefits by cleansing and defiling, and
categorizing as for the laity and the monastic. Though the training
in moral discipline is listed first among the three groups of
practices, it should not be regarded lightly. It is the foundation for
the entire path, essential for the success of the other trainings. The
Buddha himself frequently urged his disciples to adhere to the
rules of discipline, "seeing danger in the slightest fault." One time,
when a monk approached the Buddha and asked for the training in
brief, the Buddha told him: "First establish yourself in the starting
point of wholesome states, that is, in purified moral discipline and
in right view. Then, when your moral discipline is purified and
your view straight, you should practise the four foundations of
mindfulness".31
second definition, in terms of quality (rasa), enabled Buddhaghosa
to accommodate the description of an event entity or things in terms
of its function. This definition was very significant even in the
discourse of the Buddha. The third condition, manifestation
(paccupatthana) is more teleological in implication. The problems
created by the previous essentialist interpretation probably called
for such a definition, which eventually strengthened the essentialist
stand by assigning specific goals for each of the processes assumed
in the second condition. The fourth condition, foundation
(Padatthana), tightens the entire typological process by indicating
definite conditions under which the event takes place. It is in some
sense a counter — factual required by the first of the condition. It is
the foundation that specifies the conditions necessary for an event
to occur.
The above definitions may appear to be harmless so long as
Buddhaghosa's endeavor was to explain the empirical constituents
and conditions of morality (sila). The fourfold definition is
intended to determine the precise meaning of morality that is to
answer the various questions dealing with different aspects of
morality. Just as the bamboos are entangled by the bamboo tangle,
the living beings are interlaced by the tangle of craving. The
solution to disentangle this networking, at the query of a certain
deity was unraveled by the Buddha in the Samyutta Nikaya thus:
“Established well in the foundation of virtue, and developed
concentration and insight, an ardent and sagacious bhikkhu24
successfully disentangles this tangle”.25 In other words, standing on
the ground of virtue and taking up with the hand of protectiveunderstanding exerted by the power of energy the knife of insightunderstanding wellsharpened on the stone of concentration, might
disentangle, cut away and demolish all the tangle of craving that
had overgrown his own life's continuity.26
Buddhaghosa has elucidated virtue as 'the states beginning with
volition present in one who abstains from killing living things, etc.,
or in one who fulfils the practice of the duties'.32 Herein, he has
quoted the Patisambhidamagga which classifies virtue as volition
(cetana sila), virtue as consciousnessconcomitant (cetasika sila),
virtue as restraint (samvara sila) and virtue as non-transgression
(avitikkama sila).33 According to Buddhaghosa, morality refers to
'volition' (cetana), representing seven volitions that accompany
the first seven of the ten courses of action34 that constitute
abstaining from three bodily actions and four verbal actions.35
Simply speaking, it refers to the thought of a person who abstains
from killing, etc. Three other remaining mental actions consisting
of non-covetousness, non-ill will and right view pertains to
'volition as consciousness concomitant'36 where the author has
cited the teaching from the Digha Nikaya, 'abandoning
covetousness, he dwells with mind free from covetousness'37.
It was based on this stanza that Buddhaghosa has compiled his best
known work, the Visuddhimagga, the Path to purification. It is also
acknowledged as a comprehensive summary and analysis of the
Theravada understanding of the Buddha's path to liberation27. By
purification, it refers to nibbana, which is utterly pure, being devoid
of all stains. The author has pinpointed that of the three trainings of
the dispensation (sasana), virtue is the beginning and it is good as it
brings about the special qualities of non-remorse28 and so on. For
this reason, the scholars have claimed that sila, at the psychological
level, brings harmony to the mind, protection from the inner split
caused by guilt and remorse over moral transgressions. 29
Concentration, which is the middle of the dispensation, is good
because it brings about supernormal-power and so on, whereas
understanding which serves as the culmination brings about
equipoise with respect to the desired and the undesired.30
18
Characteristic, Function, Manifestation and Proximate
cause of virtue
In the exposition of virtue, the commentator has applied the same
scheme of fourfold analysis: characteristics (lakkhana), function
(rasa), manifestation (paccupatthana) and proximate cause
(padatthana), which he has utilized in compiling the
commentaries on the Abhidhamma, especially in discussing the
mental states (cetasika). According to Buddhaghosa, virtue (sila)
has the characteristic of composing (silana) and upholding
(upadharana) by serving as the foundation of profitable states.38
It means the abandoning of unprofitable mental states serves as the
foundation for the profitable states and concentrates it by
preventing wavering.39 In this sense, virtue is metaphorically
referred to as head (siras) and cools or pacifies the mind (sitala).40
Again, virtue bears the double function (nature) of 'stopping
Pali Text Society by Oxford University Press in 1922).
Ibid. p. xxxv.
19
Crosby, Kate (2004), "Theravåda", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E., Macmillan Encyclopedia of
Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA, pp. 837.
20
Ibid.
27
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhaghosa
28
One who is virtuous has nothing to be remorseful about.
29
The Noble Eightfold Path by Bhikkhu Bodhi ,
http://www.vipassana.com/resources/8fp4.php.
21
Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxxiv.
30
Here, the author has quoted the teaching from the Dhammapada: “Just as a solid massive
rock remains unshaken by the wind, so, too, in face of blame and praise, the wise remain
immovable” (Dhp. Verse 81).
22
V. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Påli Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd., p. 102. And Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in
Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli, trans., Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle:
Buddhist Publication Society, p. xxix.
31
SN 47:3
32
Vsm. para 17, p. 7.
33
Ps. I, 44.
23
V. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Påli Literature, New Delhi: Munshiram
Manoharal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.,
34
The ‘courses of action’ (kusalakammapåtha) constitute tenfold, comprising abstinence
from three bodily actions: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct; four verbal actions: lying,
slandering, harsh speech, frivolous talk and three mental actions: non-covetousness, non-ill
will and right view.
p. 102. And Bhikkhu Ñāamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa; Bhikkhu Ñāamoli,
trans., Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication Society, p.
xxix.
24
Herein, bhikkhu refers to ‘a person who sees fear in the round of rebirths’ (sa³såre bhayaè
ikkhatðti bhikkhu). So whoever is
35
25
Vsm. para 17, p. 7.
36
‘Consciousness-concomitants (cetasika)’ is a collective term for feeling, perception, and
formations, variously subdivided; in other words, aspects of mentality that arise together
with consciousness.
striving for the liberation from this round of rebirths can be addressed as ‘bhikkhu’.
S. I. 13.
26
Buddhaghosacariya, Bhaddanta, Visuddhimagga, tr. Ñåñåmoli, Bhikkhu, The Path of
Purification, reprinted, Taiwan: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational
Foundation, 1997, para 7, p. 4. (The first translation to Visuddhimagga was done by Pe
Maung Tin under the name of ‘The Path to Purity’ published for the
98
37
D. I. 71.
38
Vsm. para 19, p. 8.
39
Ibid. para 141, p. 51.
the overview of his exposition on virtue, just a few schemes of
classification will be introduced here. Virtue is one kind according
to its characteristic of composing48, as discussed above. It is of two
kinds as keeping (caritta) and avoiding (varitta)49. Herein, keeping
should be understood as fulfilling the virtue, preserving and
protecting it, which is accomplished by faith (saddha) and energy
(viriya). Avoiding means not doing what is prohibited in the
training precept promulgated by the Buddha that can be
accomplished by faith and mindfulness (sati).50
misconduct' and 'achievement as the quality of blamelessness in
virtuous men'. It is manifested, or comes to be apprehended as 'a
pure state' which brings about three kinds of purity: bodily, verbal
and mental.41 For the existence and endurance of virtue, conscience
(hiri) and shame (ottappa) are motivating forces, thus these
qualities should be regarded as it's near reason or proximate
cause.42
When briefly defined, the factors of moral training are usually
worded negatively, in terms of abstinence. But there is more to Sila
than refraining from what is wrong. Each principle embedded in
the precepts, actually has two aspects: one is abstinence from the
unwholesome, the other commitment to the wholesome; the
former is called "avoidance" (varitta) and the latter "performance"
(caritta). At the outset of training the Buddha stresses the aspect of
avoidance. He does so, not because abstinence from the
unwholesome is sufficient in itself, but to establish the steps of
practice in proper sequence. The steps are set out in their natural
order (more logical than temporal) in the famous saying of the
Dhammapada: "To abstain from all evil, to cultivate the good, and
to purify one's mind -- this is the teaching of the Buddhas".43 The
other two steps -- cultivating the good and purifying the mind -also receive their due, but to ensure their success, a resolve to avoid
the unwholesome is a necessity.44
Again, virtue becomes three kinds as inferior (cula), medium
(majjhima) and superior (panita).51 According to the commentator,
the degree of superiority is determined by the degree of the
fourfold predominance (adhipati): zeal (chanda), consciousness
(citta), energy (viriya) and inquiry (vimamsa). Inferior quality is
produced by inferior zeal and so is the medium and superior.
Furthermore, depending on the intention of observer, virtue can be
threefold: undertaking out of desire for fame (yassa) is inferior;
that undertaken out of desire for the fruits of merit (puñña phala) is
medium; that undertaken out of desire for the sake of noble state
(ariya bhava) is superior. So, intention can also be a determining
factor to judge the quality of the morality in yielding different
results. For another noteworthy classification, the commentator
has cited the Majjhima Nikaya. Some virtuous persons being
defiled by self-praise and disparage others as 'I am possessed of
virtue, but these other (bhikkhus) are ill-conducted and
evilnatured', such defiled virtue is regarded as inferior; undefiled
mundane virtue is medium; supramundane is superior. The
commentator has highlighted the vital role of one's attitude which
can defile or cleanse one's morality.
Benefits of virtue
Regarding the benefits yielded by the virtue, Buddhaghosa has
cited quite a number of Canonical texts. He has quoted the A
guttara Nikaya where the Buddha has highlighted the benefits,
beginning with non-remorse.45 Moreover, the Buddha assures us
that one who is endowed with virtue comes into a large fortune as a
consequence of diligence. This is the first benefit. Secondly, a fair
name is spread abroad. Through this perfect virtue, that person can
enter the assembly of the nobles, whether of khattiyas, brahmanas,
householders or ascetics, without fear or hesitation. This should be
regarded as the third benefit. Most of all, that virtuous person will
die unconfused which is an issue of great importance for Buddhists
as the state of mind at the verge of death is one principal condition
in determining the next life. Consequently, the virtuous person
after death will reappear in a happy destiny, a heavenly world
which is the fifth benefit expounded in the Digha Nikaya46.
In this regard, how Buddhaghosa's view on the defiling and
cleansing of morality will be discussed here. According to him,
defiling is determined through the tornness52, etc. of morality.
Though in this section on the description of morality, the
commentator has given explanation on the tornness, etc. in case of
a monk, in the description of concentration (samadhi) and
specifically on the recollection of virtue, it is discussed regarding
the tornness and not of the morality of laymen or that of monks.53
Thus, the same way should be applied in case of a layman as well.
When a man has broken the training course at the beginning of or at
the end in any instance of the seven classes of offences54, his virtue
is torn like a cloth that is cut at the edge. But when he has broken it
in the middle, it is called rent, like a cloth that is rent in the middle.
Whereas breaking twice or thrice in succession, is called blotched,
like a cow that has black or red with a discrepant colour on the back
or red. For breaking it at intervals, it is called mottled like a cow
speckled all over with discrepant coloured spots at intervals. This
is what is meant by tornness with the breach that has gain, etc. as its
cause. On the other hand, untornness, is accomplished by the
complete non-breaking of the training precepts, by making amends
for those broken for which amends should be made, and by the
non-arising of such evil things as anger, enmity, contempt,
domineering, envy, avarice, deceit, fraud, obduracy, presumption,
pride, haughtiness, conceit, and negligence55, and by the arising of
such qualities as fewness of wishes, contentment, and
effacement.56 Such untornness should be understood as
'cleansing'.57 This cleansing comes in two ways: through seeing the
Furthermore, the commentator has quoted the teaching from the
Majjhima Nikaya47 where the Buddha has given guidance that
someone who wants to be dearer and loved, held in high esteem
and honoured by others, should strive for the perfection of virtue.
Moreover, Buddhaghosa has composed a verse in praise of virtue.
He metaphorically compared to the virtue in various ways: as the
only water that can wash out the stain in living things; as the noble,
supremely cool moonbeams that quell the flame; as incomparable
scent that is spread against the wind, etc. and made a claim that
without virtue, one cannot find footing in the dispensation.
Different Kinds of Virtue
In the words of Buddhaghoasa, virtue is classified into five kinds
and some of the categories such as two, three or four kind again
become manifold, nonetheless since this paper attempts to present
40
Vsm. Op.cit.
41
A. I. 271.
42
Op. Cit. para 22, p. 9.
43
Dhammapada. Verse 183.
44
Bodhi, Ibid. A. V, 1.
46
D. II. 86.
47
M.I. 33.
48
Vsm. para 25, p. 10.
49
Ibid.
50
Ibid. para 26, p. 11.
51
Op.cit. p. 10.
52
Vsm. para. 143, p. 52.
53
Vsm. chp. VII, para. 101-102, p. 240.
54
The seven consisting of påråjika, sa³ghådise›a, påcittiya, på»idesaniya, dukkha,
thullaccaya, dubbåsita (MA. ii, 33); Ibid.
99
55
See M sutta 7 (Vsm. para 151, p. 53).
56
See M. sutta 24 (Ibid.)
57
Ibid. para. 152.
58
Ibid. para. 153.
danger of failure in virtue, and through seeing the benefit of
perfected virtue.58 This implies by avoiding the negative traits of
human behavior and adopting the positive attitude would help not
only oneself toward the higher goal but also make the human
relations more amicable and harmonious.
Such a practice of avoiding the unwholesome and cultivate good
was a further incentive of those who would want to remain in the
household and undertake the practice of morals. This attitude
would involve the well-being of not only of one self but include
others too.
In the description of morality, just as Buddhaghosa has exalted the
benefits of virtue, he did not fail to see the unvirtuousness in the
failure of morality, as taught in the Aguttara Nikaya59. Due to his
unvirtuousness, an unvirtuous person is displeasing to deities and
human beings and suffers when unvirtuousness is censured and
virtuousness is praised. Being lack in morality is described by
Venerable Buddhaghosa work in the harshest words he is as ugly as
hemp cloth and contact with him is painful as his views bring
people to long lasting suffering in the state of loss. Moreover, he is
worthless as he causes no great fruits to accrue to those who give
him gifts. Again, he is compared to a years old cesspit that is hard to
purify. As a monk, due to his unvirtuousness, he is no more a
bhikkhu but like a donkey that is following a herd of cattle.
Consequently, he is always nervous like a man who is everyone's
enemy60.
Therefore, the Buddha's conception of society hinges on the selfinterest (sakhara) of both oneself and others and it is this extremely
significant human interest that makes a society meaningful. As it
addresses mutual self-interest. The minor virtues include the ten
precepts discussed throughout the discourses. Among these, the
first seven involve not merely the abstentions, that is, what is
generally considered evil, the avoidance of which enables a person
to build up his or her moral character, but also the more positive
aspects that represent a moral person's impact on the world or the
social nature of the virtuous life. These seven virtues, therefore, are
embodiments of the ultimate criteria of the good, namely, the
welfare of oneself (attahita) and the welfare of others (parahita).61
One who is devoted to one's own welfare and cultivates the virtues,
while at the same time is devoted to the welfare of others by
causing other to cultivate the virtues is called a noble person as one
who is virtuous (sappurisa), that is, one who cultivates the virtues,
and then proceeds to define one who is nobler (sappurisena
sappurisatara) as one who cultivates the virtues and causes other to
do so.62
On the contrary the benefits of moral conduct are praised, if the
morality is pure, one will never fear the self-reproach. The deeds
done for a virtuous person, though few, will bear much fruit and
thus becomes a vessel of hounour and renown. Above all these, the
perfume virtue of a virtuous person succeed in pleasing even
deities, as it is more perfect far than all other perfumes in the world.
So once the virtue or morality of a person is perfected, his mind
seeks no other kind but the perfection of nibbana, the state where
utter peace prevails. In this way, the great commentator
Buddhaghosa has made an analysis of virtue or morality
highlighting its characteristic, etc.; classifications; cleansing of the
morality and its advantages; and its defiling and disadvantages.
Having understood its value, virtue should be cleansed with all
care, seeing its danger and its benefits of perfecting. Without being
established in virtue, one cannot develop concentration and
wisdom and cannot attain purification, i.e. Nibbana, the ultimate
peace. This is assured by the Venerable Buddhaghosa in his best
known Visuddhimagga.
The eightfold path advocated by the Buddha is better known as the
middle way (majjhima patpada) between two extremes (anta): a
life of indulgence in the pleasures of sense
(kamasukhallikanuyoga) and indulgence in self-mortification
(attakilamathanuyoga). A life of indulgence is rejected more for
social reasons. It is low, vulgar, and individualist. It is motivated by
possessive individualism. Therefore, the thought centred solely on
self-interest at the cost of overlooking the interests of others can
create the conditions or dissatisfaction, conflict, disharmony and
various other problems of social, political and economic nature.
This world can appear in two forms: motivated by human interest
and dominated by greed. The culture motivated by human interest
emerges as a result of perceiving the world as being dependently
arisen. Culture dominated by greed is the by-product of possessive
individualism.63 This is the underlying cause of the problem of
rampant consumerism and blatant profit making enterprises.
Ethical validity of virtue and Contemporary Issues
Sila morality is backbone for ethical explanation of Buddhist
philosophy. The Buddha has examined the ethical validity of
religious practices immediately after getting enlightenment. He
suggested the society to avoid extremes and follow the middle
path. Well developed theory of morality is found in the work of
Buddhaghosa after the process of development in canonical
literatures via the Milindapañho to the Visuddhimaggo. It
determines the ethical activities in the world through Buddhist
scriptural and practical ways. Because of moral values Buddhism
got respectful position in the world Buddhism would see its
attitude to society, the environment and other contemporary issues.
Some of these issues have begun to be addressed in recent years.
The Social scientists who have sought to apply Buddhist principles
to the problems of life in the modern world Progress is therefore
visible in the world, through the movements like socially engaged
Buddhism. The credit goes to Buddhaghosa who has given
practical shape to the Philosophy of the Buddha, because the
Buddha himself counselled layman to follow the precepts he laid
down in scriptures and he avoided discussion of theoretical
problems. With few exceptions, this has remained the pattern.
Opposed to the wrong conceptions, which are dominated by
thoughts of sensual pleasures (kama), ill will (vyapada), and injury
(avihimsa), the right conceptions are thoughts dominated by
renunciation, absence of ill will, and non-injury. These are no
doubt virtues. Most people, including ordinary human beings,
would appreciate their value as they are the only source of peaceful
coexistence among humans.
The gradualness of the path thus consists in starting with the basic
virtues relating to the life of social harmony and moving on the
more comprehensive moral life. If the immoral life is one of
passion, hatred, and confusion the moral life has to start with their
restraint and conclude with their complete elimination. Thus, the
moral life, whether it is at its beginning, middle, or conclusion, has
to be what is conducive to one's own welfare and the welfare of
others. This message in Buddhism is directed towards the well-
59
A. III, 252.
66
M. VII. Bhikkhuvagga; M.I.414; M.I.420.
60
Vsm. para. 153-154, pp. 53-54.
67
Kalupahana, David J., Op. Cit.: 137.
61
Kalupahana, David J., Ethics in Early Buddhism, Motolal Banarasidas, Delhi, 2008: 73.
62
A.II.217.
63
Kalupahana, David J., Op. Cit.: 78.
64
Ibid. 137.
65
M.II.76ff.
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being of the society. It is the dhamma. Anything that is detrimental
to the well-being of the social group adhamma, or evil.
trust, peace, and harmonious living can solve many serious
problems faced by the mankind of today. Virtuous life and rational
behaviour is to avoid the harmful tendencies of greed, selfishness,
and possessive individualism on the one hand and elimination of
them constitutes the right way as well as the conclusion of the
moral life.
Finally, the Buddhist conception of society is not confined to
humans alone. In a profound ethical sense it includes all living
being (sabbhabhuta), animals as well as lower creatures. "As a
mother who protects her own child as her own life, so should one
develop thoughts toward all living beings."64 Inaddition to the
virtues discussed earlier, which involve compassion for all forms of
living beings, there are four mental states one is supposed to
cultivate, these include friendliness (metta), compassion (karuna),
rejoicing in the happiness of other (mudita), and equanimity
(upekkha), and carry a special designation as the 'noble way of life'
(brahmavihara).65
References:
1. H.R. Perera, "Buddhism in Sri Lanka: A Short History.
2. Hinüber, Oskar (1996), A Handbook of Pali Literature, New
Delhi: Munshiram Manoharal
Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
3. Crosby, Kate (2004), "Theravada", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E.,
Macmillan Encyclopedia of
Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA.
4. Bhikkhu Ñaıamoli (1999), "Introduction", in Buddhaghosa;
Bhikkhu Ñaıamoli, trans.,
Visuddhimagga: The Path of Purification, Seattle: Buddhist
Publication Society.
5. Strong, John (2004), "Buddhaghosa", in Buswell, Jr., Robert E.,
Macmillan Encyclopedia of
Buddhism, USA: Macmillan Reference USA.
6. Bhikkhu Nanamoli, trans., Visuddhimagga: The Path of
Purification, Seattle: Buddhist Publication
Society.
7. Buddhaghosacariya, Bhaddanta, Visuddhimagga, tr. Ñañamoli,
Bhikkhu, The Path of Purification,
reprinted, Taiwan: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational
Foundation, 1997, para 7, p. 4.
8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhaghosa
9. Kalupahana, David J., (2008), Ethics in Early Buddhism,
Motolal Banarasidas, Delhi.
A rational person therefore cannot expect others in the community
to respect his or her interests unless he or she is prepared to respect
the interests of others. This rationality is embodied in the Buddha's
conception of a just act as one that leads to the welfare of oneself
and others. This view finds best expression in the Discourse to
Rahula, the Rahulovadasutta.
If you, Rahula, reflecting thus, should find "That deed which I am
desirous of doing with the body is a deed of my body that would
conduce to the harm of self, to the harm of others, and to the harm of
both this deed of body is unwholesome, is productive of suffering,
results in suffering," –a deed of body like this, Rahula, if indeed
possible (sasakkam), should not be done by you. (The statement is
repeated with regard to deeds of speech and mind).
But if you, Rahula, while reflecting thus, should find, "That deed
which I am desirous of doing with the body is a deed of my body
that would conduce neither to the harm of self, nor to the harm of
others, nor to the harm of both, this deed of body is wholesome,
productive of happiness, results in happiness,"– a deed of body like
this, Rahula, may be done by you. Repeated with regard to deeds of
speech and mind.66 The Buddha's recommendation regarding the
cultivation of the virtues of compassion (anukampa) and
nonviolence (ahimsa) was unique in that it applied to both oneself
and others.
When greed and hatred are eliminated, when the dispositions are
appeased, a human is able to understand his or her life as being
dependently arisen in the same way the natural environment is
conditioned. The Buddha's realization that all experienced
phenomena are dependently arisen prevented him from
recognizing a sharp dichotomy between humanity and nature. With
that realization, nature does not appear either as something to be
renounced for the sake of some higher mysterious spirituality or as
something available primarily for the benefit of the humans. The
principle of dependence provides a philosophical basis for relating
oneself to the natural world. It allows for the development of a
feeling of kinship with nature.67
To sum up, the author has made a humble attempt on the occasion of
international conference on“Cultural Interface Between India and
Sri Lanka” to show that cultural relations between the two
neighbouring countries started by the arrival of the Buddha's
sublime Dhamma on this island nation in 250 BCE, nurtured by the
exchange of ideas throughout the course of history based on the
spirit of the True Dhamma. This exchange is better represented by
Buddhaghosa whose contribution in the field of Theravada
literature and philosophy is still unparalleled. In his all-time
classical work, the Visuddhimagga, he chalked out the path of
purification through Sila, Samadhi and Pañña. Sila (Morality)
being the foundation of practice contains the possibility of leading
the practioner toward the attainment of final goal i.e. Nibbana. On
the other hand, at mundane level by inculcating the moral values
among the human beings for the sake of making an environment of
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